2009 MLB Preview: National League

– Can I just copy what I wrote last year about this team? Or what I wrote about the Nationals? In all seriousness, this is just another franchise stuck in the mud. Neither their lineup nor rotation stands out in anyone’s mind, despite the great play of young centerfielder Nate McLouth. Even in a weak division and a watered-down league, it will take a lot of time to rebuild this team; I’d suggest starting from scratch. Another miserable summer for the people at PNC will have lots of them asking, “Hey, when do the Steelers get to camp?”

National League West (predicted order of finish and records)

Los Angeles Dodgers (88-74) – Even without Manny, I think this team would’ve been the preliminary favorite in this awful division. Signing Manny makes their team a no-brainer pick at the top of the West. On the other side of the ball, their rotation could use some work. Losing Lowe and Maddux could be a con, but that means more starts for young Clayton Kershaw, exactly what Dodger fans want to see. I can’t rave enough about the depth in this lineup, and since the postseason pedigree is now there, expect the Dodgers to sail smoothly into October, which would make fifteen straight for Torre.

San Francisco Giants (83-79) – They won’t be the embarrassment that they’ve been in each of the past four seasons, primarily because of their very good starting rotation. A trio of starters who have won the Cy Young fill out the top three, and though their lineup is nothing to write home about, they’ll be a team to watch because of what they have to offer on the mound. The 83 wins I’ve given them might be a bit too generous, but I think they can pull it off with progression from Lincecum and Cain. When Aaron Rowand is your go-to hitter, the offensive outlook couldn’t be much worse.

Arizona Diamondbacks (80-82) – Another one of America’s sweethearts, the Diamondbacks young core cooled down in a big way after an electric start to 2008. I still love Webb and Haren manning the top of the rotation, but these youngsters still need time to come into their own. With so much youth comes unpredictability, which is exactly what type of season it’ll be in Arizona. When you look up and down their lineup, who stands out? I’ll tell you who. No one. They’ll be able to pitch their way all to way to .500, if that, making it another mediocre campaign in the desert.

Colorado Rockies (72-90) – Even with the consistent lineup and the effects that Coors Field can have on your offense, there is still too little pitching for the Rockies. They continue to head in the right direction, but without Holliday, this team doesn’t have the juice it’s had recently, and won’t have any of it without somewhat of a bounce back season from Helton. They can’t hang with the elite or even with the mediocre in the National League, as the attitude within the Rockies organization will be based towards the future.

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