National League West Handicapping / Gambling Futures
Hard to believe that the Boys of Summer are almost back. Ready to start baseball betting? Teams have reported to 2010 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our division by division MLB predictions previews for the year.
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NL West
Though the L.A. Dodgers remain the class of this division, the Giants are emerging in new and interesting ways and the Rockies are usually good for some drama. The D-backs and Padres still have some work to do to run with the class of the West.
National League – Odds TO WIN 2010 MLB NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS +245
COLORADO ROCKIES +240
LOS ANGELES DODGERS +200
SAN DIEGO PADRES +2500
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS +245
Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction: 1st NL West
The Chavez Ravine faithful enjoyed a great on-field product in 2009; they’ll get much of the same this season. Last year’s division champs have an outstanding nucleus of players reaching their prime: 1B James Loney, RF Andre Ethier and CF Matt Kemp all are run-producing machines. Fellow outfielder Manny Ramirez is no spring chicken, but he still is a hitting savant that can change a game. The rotation is great at the top with lefty Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley while the bullpen is also worthy of praise – George Sherrill and monster Jonathan Broxton would be coveted by anyone. The Dodgers are a legitimate threat for the Phils in ’10.
San Francisco Giants Prediction: 2nd NL West
The G-Men were crappy for a while in the post-Bonds era, but this is a team that is improving quickly. Everyone knew that they could pitch in San Fran, the question was with the bats. There finally has been some bright spots in that aspect of the game with 3B Pablo Sandoval, 1B Aubrey Huff and two-bagger Freddy Sanchez. To make things more well-rounded, Sergio Romo and Brian Wilson are effective in the ’pen. The Rockiesseem to make magic and the D-backs have flecks of talent, but the Giants are the toughest competition for the Dodgers this year.
Colorado Rockies Prediction: 3rd NL West
A lot of the magic from recent Colorado squads is changed – Matt Holliday is in Colorado, Todd Helton is old, Garrett Atkins sucks. However, they’ve seemed able to re-create somewhat with new personnel inDenver. Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez are intriguing in the outfield. Fowler has tremendous potential and Gonzalez looked excellent in last year’s postseason. SS Troy Tulowitzki and RF Brad Hawpe will provide their share of fireworks. Yet the pitching rotation can’t run with L.A. or San Fran and the bullpen has some question marks. The Rockies aren’t a bad team; they’ll just have to out-duel two very good teams to make headway in the division. Matching last year’s wild-card spot would be very nice.
Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction: 4th NL West
Arizona’s player development has been too hit or miss: 3B Mark Reynolds and OF Justin Upton are studs, but utilityman Conor Jackson and SS Stephen Drew are closer to duds. The pitching duo of Brandon Webb and Dan Haren is great, provided that Webb can bounce back from a shoulder injury that ruled him out of last season. There are some pieces in the desert, but I don’t see the D-backs quite as impressive as the top divisional dogs. As a crucial aside, reliever Clay Zavada has an otherworldly moustache. Eat your heart out, Randy Johnson…
San Diego Padres Prediction: 5th NL West
The Friars have a true gem in 1B Adrian Gonzalez. The local fans have grown to love the local product; it’s just the rest of the team that has them queasy. The batting order is a collection of middling vets (David Eckstein, Scott Hairston) with unproven entities. Top-line starter Chris Young really needs to have a healthy, productive year. The Pads aren’t the worst team in the league, but SoCal dudes and dudettes would still be better served watching the Chargers.
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