The NL West was quite a story last year.  The first place team had a total of only 84 wins (Los Angeles Dodgers).  The last place team finished with 99 losses (San Diego Padres). 

All in all, this division is going to be very interesting.  The NL West is loaded with great pitchers, like Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Jake Peavy, Tim Lincecum and many more.

I think this division is going to be close the whole year and will be decided by one or two games.

 

1. Arizona Diamondbacks: 86-76

The Arizona D-Backs, have one of the best starting rotations out there.  Their starting rotation is highlighted by studs like Brandon Webb and Dan Haren. 

They also have guys like Doug Davis and Jon Garland who can easily pile up 15 wins.  The Diamondbacks also have a prospect in their rotation in Max Scherzer.  Scherzer's only 25 years old and has massive potential. 

This Diamondbacks rotation is the complete package and it will lead the team to a division title.  The D-Backs starting pitching rotation isn't the only thing that the D-Backs have going for them. 

Their lineup consists of great players all around.  Led by their All-Star Conor Jackson, they also have a great core of young players like Stephen Drew, Justin Upton, and Chris Young, who are all mentored by veteran Eric Byrnes. 

The D-Backs also acquired 28-year-old Felipe Lopez in the off-season.  This team is ready to roll and destroy anything that gets in its way. The Dodgers ain't Dodging this snake.

 

2. Colorado Rockies: 84-78

Two years ago, the Rockies made it all the way to the World Series but got swept by the Boston Red Sox.  Last year, the Rockies had a tough year, their young pitcher Jeff Francis was injury plagued the whole season, along with stud, Troy Tulowitzki. 

It was a tough year in Colorado, but they will bounce back and have an encouraging year, which could lead them to division crowns and maybe World Series winners further down the road. 

This team has a nice core of players led by veteran Todd Helton.  Look for the Rockies to make a statement this year.

 

3. Los Angeles Dodgers: 81-81

As of now, all this team is a .500 team.  But, with one move this team can be a 90-game winner and on their way to the playoffs.  All this team has to do, is get Manny back.

Last year, the Dodgers acquired Manny from the Red Sox, mid-season and Manny put them on his back and tore up the National League with amazing numbers. 

The Dodgers have a good team without Manny, but not a team good enough to contend for a world championship. 

One move and one player decides the Dodgers season, as we all know there's an empty locker with the Dodgers that says Manny Ramirez on it.

 

4. San Francisco Giants: 80-82

The Giants have some great starting pitching, led by defending NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum.  But their offense isn't the greatest. 

Many people say, "you can't win without pitching", but as you will see with the Giants, you also can't win without batting. 

If the Giants can add a big bat like Manny, they are on their way to great heights.  But for now, they are going to have to wait until their prospects bloom.

 

5. San Diego Padres: 61-101

The Padres, quite simply were horrendous last year, with 99 losses and they will even be more horrendous this year with 101 losses.  This team has really done nothing to improve, except for adding second baseman David Eckstein. 

This team failed to trade their ace, Jake Peavy, in a miserable fashion.  All this team had to do was sign some decent names and trade Peavy for a good young pitcher and a prospect, but they failed to do so. 

Their failures will result in another miserable year, due to their management.