Baseball Preview: NL West Predictions

Five days from opening day and I know you're fiending for some predictions. We're gonna start out West and work our way East.

First, the ever-so-pure National League.

No division was tighter in Major League Baseball than the NL West with the upstart Arizona Diamondbacks, the steady San Diego Padres, and the surging Colorado Rockies.

The Rockies won 21 of 22 games to get themselves to the World Series last year. But can that continue?

Los Angeles Dodgers (87-75)

Two words: Joe effin' Torre. Sure, the Dodgers have won just a single playoff game since '88, but they didn't have Torre.

Brad Penny and Derek Lowe provide solid starts for their pitching staff and the addition of Andruw Jones will really help them in the power department.

They missed the playoffs by two games last year, but Joe Torre and some extra power will give them at least that much of a boost.

Arizona Diamondbacks (85-77)

Who are these guys? That's the question I had while watching them in the playoffs last year.

With the exception of Brandon Webb, there was no star power there at all. Now, this young team is one year older and plus one Dan Haren.

Look for Eric Byrnes, Stephen Drew, and Justin Upton to step it up this year for a wild card run.

Colorado Rockies (80-82)

Another young, exciting team. I don't think 21 of 22 is in the cards for them this year. Without that last year, they finish third in the division.

This team's headed in the right direction with lots of young talent, but they aren't quite there yet. Look out for the Rockies in 2009.

San Diego Padres (65-97)

Boring. Is there anything to be excited about with the Padres? Whooo Tad Iguchi!

Arguably, the worst offensive team in baseball, it's a good thing they are in San Diego for attendance's sake. Their pitching is okay, though Greg Maddux is becoming more fragile by the day, but it's not enough to make up for their minor league bats.

Thank goodness for the Chargers.

San Francisco Giants (55-106)

They just stink. When losing Pedro Feliz is a big blow to your team, you have major problems. Time to rebuild.

Coming soon...predictions for NL Central.