Handicapping MLB 2014 Division Odds – National League West
The 2014 MLB regular season is just a few weeks away, but with spring training in full swing, it’s just the right time to start thinking about who will make a run at this year’s championship.
NL West Odds: Arizona Diamondbacks +1100
Season Win Total: 81.5
The Diamondbacks acquired several key additions during the offseason that could put them right in the thick of a playoff spot in the National League West. Ex-Angel Mark Trumbo and MVP runner-up Paul Goldschmidt will add a much needed spark to the Arizona lineup.
Meanwhile, the D’Backs rotation has one of the best arms in baseball in Gerardo Parra, and with the adding of Bronson Arroyo, and former White Sox closer Addison Reed, the rotation and the bullpen got some much needed depth.
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As long as their pitching stays healthy, the Diamondbacks could surprise in 2014.
NL West Odds: Colorado Rockies +1200
Season Win Total: 76.5
The Rockies have an above-average lineup, but a below-average rotation. With that the season could be a long one for the bullpen, which includes LaTroy Hawkins as the team’s closer.
Colorado did add Brett Anderson to the rotation, but because of injury issues, there’s no telling how much production they will get out of him in 2014.
As far as the lineup, the Rockies have Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki in the middle, with Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau and catcher Wilin Rosario, all of which will certainly contribute.
It’s going to be hard for the Rockies to consistently score more runs than they give up, so .500 seems to be the ceiling here.
NL West Odds: Los Angeles Dodgers -200
Season Win Total: 92.5
LA’s ownership group spent the offseason making sure the Dodgers are in good position to win in 2014.
With a payroll at around $224-mil, the Los Angeles has a ton of talent, both in the lineup and on the mound.
LA’s pitching depth is likely the most dangerous in the league, with perennial Cy Young candidate Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu combining to create a deadly 1-2-3 punch. Add Paul Maholm and Josh Beckett, and it’s almost unfair.
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As for the lineup, the Dodgers have Yasiel Puig, Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez and Matt Kemp, all who can produce some serious run totals.
However, LA still lacks a little lineup depth, and need another player or two to come into season if they want a chance at winning a World Series title.
NL West Odds: San Diego Padres +1200
Season Win Total: 79
The Friars definitely do not have the strongest lineup in the NL West, but their up-and-coming pitching, which includes Ian Kennedy and Andrew Cashner, who had a break out 2013 season, could keep them from having an outright miserable season.
Meanwhile, the lineup consists of veterans Chase Headley and Carlos Quentin, as well as young guns Jedd Gyorko and Yonder Alonso, who, if they can continue to improve, could give the Padres a little more offensive pop.
Speaking of pop, the bullpen got a little of its own after San Diego acquired reliever Joaquin Benoit, who compliments Huston Street at the back end of the Padre bullpen.
Still, I expect San Diego to hover around the .500 mark in 2014.
NL West Odds: San Francisco Giants +275
Season Win Total: 86.5
We all know the Giants have one of the best pitching staffs in the NL West, but once again their lineup could keep them from making the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Aside from catcher Buster Posey, San Francisco doesn’t have a lot of superstars. So they are going to need to get consistency out of guys like Hunter Pence, Pablo Sandoval and new guys like Brandon Belt, if they want to compete for a title in 2014.
In the meantime, the G-men will lean on their pitching, with aces like Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum, Tim Hudson and Ryan Vogelsong, all who on any given day, provide San Francisco with enough to win every game they are in.
The Giants should be in the thick of the playoff race this season, as long as key players can contribute consistently.
Matt’s NL West Prediction: San Francisco (+275)
I’m going with the value play here. The Giants has been good every single year of late, and if they can get the most of their pitching, I think they can get enough wins to snatch the division this year and maybe even a World Series title.
