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by Digger

During this past week, All World All Sports blogger Digger presented daily 2008 MLB division by division breakdowns and predictions. We conclude with the wild wild NL West.
2007 proved anything can happen, and it did. NL West is up for grabs this year as all five teams will be at war from day one. Last season, the Colorado Rockies won their final 13 of 14 regular season games forcing a one game winner take all playoff game vs Arizona to determine which squad advanced to the post-season. Colorado beat Arizona and then swept their way to becoming National League Champions. The magic ended when they faced a potent Boston Red Sox team. After winning 21 of 22 games, the Rockies were trounced in the World Series by four straight Red Sox victories.

NL West (in order of predicted finish):

Colorado Rockies (Mgr. Clint Hurdle, 90-73 in '07)
Talk about a red hot end of year performance. Hurdle's Rockies won 21 of 22 games to reach the promised land before getting swept by Boston in the World Series. This is a young fearless team ready to take on all competition. While their pitching stats may not end up looking great, it will be their offense which stands above the rest and delivers the division crown.
Starting Pitchers: Front four - Jeff Francis (17-9, 4.22) leads the way and will post his fifth consecutive winning season. He's followed by Aaron Cook (8-7, 4.12). Ubaldo Jiminez and Franklin Morales. All need to keep their cool and concentration ... especially during home games in hitting friendly and spacious Coors Field. The final rotation slots will be won this spring between Jason Hirsch, Mark Redmond and Kip Wells. Manny Corpas (2.08, 19 SV) is expected to be the full time closer when following a solid middle relief crew.
In the Field: Timely hitting was key last year. This squad has big bats which produced in the clutch. Colorado must to repeat clutch hitting to win. 1B Todd Helton (.320) owns most Rockie records. His power numbers have faded recently yet this hitting machine still gets it done. 2B in '08 figures to be Jayson Nix. SS is Rookie of the Year runner up Troy Tulowitzki (.291, 24 HR). This kid has the right stuff and will surpass last seasons totals. Garrett Atkins (3B, .301, 25 HR, 111 RBI) proved '06 was no fluke. Colorado's infield left side is the West's best and will deliver again. LF MVP runner up Matt Holliday (.340, 216 H, 50 2B, 36 HR, 137 RBI) will one day replace Helton as all time offensive team leader. He crushes everything thrown his way. If he cuts down on 126 K's then .350 is within reach. CF belongs to speedy Willy Taveras (.320, 36 SB). Brad Hawpe (.291, 29 HR, 116 RBI) returns in RF. This team can outhit just about every NL team. Yorvit Torreabla and Chris Ianetta will split catching assignments. Both should put up better numbers in '08. Colorado's bench is adequate defensively but lacks pop. No worries unless the dl bug appears.
Prediction: Colorado takes 1st place in NL's toughest division.

Los Angeles Dodgers (Mgr. Joe Torre, 82-80 in '07)
Los Angeles is a franchise rich in tradition dating back to their Brooklyn Bums days. They have tried combination after combination recently... now they've brought in a new skipper with a few titles under his belt (Joe Torre) and a new slugging outfielder, Andruw Jones. Will it be enough to finally put smiles on Dodger Blue's? Defensive fundamentals, timely hitting and a healthy pitching staff hold all answers. If yes, LA will be a serious contender. If no, it could be a long year. LA only plated 735 runs while leaving runners on base in key situations all season long.
Starting Pitching: LA used eleven different starting pitchers in '07. Only two started more than 20 games. This is not how division titles are normally won. Brad Penny (16-4, 3.03) is the real deal and would greatly appreciate run support for a change. Derek Lowe's (12-14, 3.88) mound presence forms LA's solid 1-2 punch. Chad Billingsly (12-5, 3.31) started 20 of his 43 appearances and appears ready to become a regular Dodger starter. Japanese import Hiroki Kuroda is being counted on to dominate. I think his 103-89, 3.69 career across the ocean will not translate into major league dominance. We'll see how he adjusts to American baseball filled with big sluggers. Esteban Loaiza and Jason Schmidt will be returning from injury. Schmidt is a former iron horse with nasty stuff. Takashi Saito (39 SV, 1.40) gives batters fits and will shut them down once again.
In the Field: Overall, LA lack of clutch hitting left too many runners in scoring position and cost them dearly. Torre brings a winning attitude and hopes it rubs off. 1B James Looney (.331) showed flashes of greatness last year and steps into prime time duties. 2B is veteran Jeff Kent (.302, 20 HR) who may see time at 1B vs lefties. He's enjoyed a fine 16 year career and will be a Hall of Fame candidate. SS belongs to Rafael Furcal (.270, 25 SB). 3B Nomar Garciaparra hasn't been the same player since leaving Boston a few years ago. He's a fierce competitor but has fallen victim to multiple injuries during his career. Andy LaRoche will back up Nomar and is ready to go when needed. Juan Pierre (.293, 64 SB) shifts to LF making room for slugging CF Andruw Jones. AJ had a miserable time for Atlanta last year and many feel his season long slump was the reason Atlanta finished third. In '05-'06, Jones crushed 92 round trippers and drove in 257 runners. I predict he'll be back in the 30 homer - 100 rbi zone while raising his average from .222 up to .270. RF is a battle between righty Matt Kemp (.342) and lefty Adam Ethier (.284). Russell Martin (.293) squats behind the dish and has become one of the NL's elite backstops.
Prediction: Torre brings a new winning attitude to Dodgertown. A healthy team has enough talent to win this division. As of now, I'll pencil them into 2nd place. Too many starting pitching "if" health factors could transform LA from serious contenders to a team trying searching for healthy arms.

San Diego Padres (Mgr. Bud Black, 89-74 in '07)
San Diego had to be sick to their collective stomachs after losing three straight games to miss last years playoffs. Included is this streak was an epic 9-8 blown 13th inning lead loss to Colorado in a one game winner take all season ending game. Rockies advanced as Wild Card Champs... Padres went home. A solid front three starting staff will keep them in the hunt once again.
Starting Pitching: Cy Young winner Jake Peavy (19-6, 2.56) enters his prime. Odds on favorite to have his first 20 win season. Chris Young (9-8, 3.12) was victimized by 13 no decisions. Opposing batters managed to scratch out a meager 118 hits in Young's 173 innings. Veteran hurler Greg Maddux (14-11, 4.14) returns for his 2nd season in a Padres uniform. He's a future Hall of Fame lock having won 347 career games during a span of 22 seasons. Lefty Randy Wolf joins this staff after 3 injury riddled years in Philly and LA. He's a deceptive southpaw and must stay pain free as a vital cog in SD's rotation. Speaking of injuries, and joining the Friars rotation, is one time phenom Mark Prior. MP is recovering from shoulder carving and appears on track for opening day. This is a tough staff one thru five.
In the Field: Most Padres starters had fine seasons until crapping out in September. 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.282, 30, 100) will continue is the team slugger. 2B was a disappointment in '07 (Marcus Giles). In '08, it's Tadahito Iguchi (career .276) to the rescue. SS Khalil Greene set personal highs in games played (153), hits (155), doubles (44), home runs (27) and RBI (97). However, there was one important career low... .291 OBP... something he and Mgr. Black need to correct. Kevin Kouzmanoff (3B) impressed at times during his first full season. This outfield group (Hairston, Edmonds, Giles) will be excellent defensively but is questionable heading into the regular season. Hairston (.243) has never been an everyday player. Edmonds had back to back injury filled seasons (bad back) but has reported to spring training in excellent shape. Black will give him plenty of days off and needs Jimbo to produce big numbers after two off years at the plate. RF Brian Giles has a sharp eye (career .404 OBP) but has been inconsistant in pitching friendly Petco Park. Team depth (reserves) do not impress me as of now. Players will challenge to make the big league club this spring.
Prediction: NL West is a fight to the finish division. San Diego will challenge all year long. They'll come up just short. 3rd place. Solid and dependable pitching places them just ahead of Arizona.

Arizona Diamondbacks (Mgr. Bob Melvin, 90-72 in '07)
Arizona's division title shocked rivals. Melvin had these guys playing inspired baseball all season long. This is a very solid young team on the rise. However, it will be difficult to repeat in '08.
Starting Pitching: 2006 Cy Young and 2007 runner up Brandon Webb (18-10, 3.01) is just flat out nasty. He goes deep into games and struck out a career high 194 last season. Randy Johnson tries one more time to regain prior magic after being limited to 10 games during his second D-Back stint. No one knows for sure how much he has left in the tank and he represents Arizona's biggest question mark. Dan Haren (15-9, 3.07) arrives from Oakland and has been tagged an elite pitcher. Doug Davis (13-12, 4.25) is back for his second year out west. A career .500 starter who gobbles up innings. Davis must learn to stop giving away free passes (102, 95 in '06/'07). It's the difference between winning and just being average. Micah Owings (8-8, 4.30) enters big league season number two. He's a work in progress with good stuff who needs to keep the ball in the park to guarantee success (20 homers allowed in 152 IP). Middle relievers were very good last year keeping games close. Valverde saved 47 games and is gone clearing the way for Brandon Lyon (73 games, 2.68) to give it a shot.
In the Field: Arizona stood out as a team who delivered when the game was on the line by knocking in key runs game after game. It was a team effort. No single player drove in more than 83 runs. 1B Conor Jackson (.284) is steady but lacks power most other teams enjoy at this position. Same can be said for Arizona's hot cornerman Mark Reynolds (.279). Up the middle, 2B Orlando Hudson (.294) and double play partner SS Stephen Drew (.238). Drew, entering his third season, has been predicted by D-Back brass to be a future star. He's gifted and will mature over time. CF Chris Young smacked 32 homers and swiped 27 bags in his first full season. Once his raw talent is fine tuned (.237 BA, .295 OBP)... then he'll be a regular All Star for years to come. LF Eric Byrnes (.286, 21 HR, 50 SB) plays hard every game and is the team catalyst. Justin Upton enters spring training attempting to win Arizona's RF job. Behind home plate is Chris Snyder (.252) who will start most games.
Prediction: A fun, young and talented team. Expectations around the baseball world seem to suggest repeat. I'm not convinced. Diamondbacks will be very competitve... but, '08 is a new year... and division rivals have bulked up. 4th place.

San Francisco Giants (Mgr. Bruce Bochy, 71-91 in '07)
Bye-bye Barry Bonds. The Giants are finally rid of their clubhouse deterrant and distactor. Bonds is currently without a job while being investigated for Grand Jury perjury. The good news: Giants will finally be able to put his side show behind them and focus on playing baseball. Bad news: How do they plan on scoring runs? Posting wins? They're over matched in baseball's most competitive division. Bochy has his work cut out for him. This will be a difficult year in San Francisco.
Starting Pitchers: Barry Zito (11-15, 4.53) was roughed up from May thru July after signing a lucrative free agent deal prior to '07. His numbers should greatly improve from an ERA standpoint. Lack of run support will have him itching to join a winner before baseball's trading deadline expires. Matt Cain (7-16, 3.65) is very solid and effective. Common theme for Giants starters has them all searching for offensive protection. Tim Lincecum (7-5, 4.00) fanned 150 in 146 innings. He's still learning and has the tools to become a mainstay in SF's rotation. Noah Lowry (14-8, 3.92) continues to impress. The rest of Bochy's rotation is up in the air. Kevin Correa, Jonathan Sanchez and Patrick Misch figure to compete for the final slot.
In the Field: Ugh. With Bonds in '07, SF scored 683 runs (2nd fewest in NL), hit 267 doubles (league worst) and 131 homers (2nd fewest). Without Bonds, run totals and homers figure to get even lower. Dan Ortmeier becomes the new regular on first. Ray Durham returns to second after a miserable '07 (.218, career lowest). SS Omar Vizquel (.246) is already hurt and will be replaced by Kevin Frandsen who was originally slated to start '08 at 2B. Rich Aurilia will cover third. This is the weakest infield in all of baseball from offense to defense. Not only won't they put up runs... they'll give up plenty too. Dave Roberts (.280, 31 SB) shifts from CF and replaces Bonds in LF. Aaron Rowand (CF, .309, 45 2B, 27 HR) is a gifted outfielder who plays at top speed on every play. One has to wonder why in the world he chose to play in San Francisco???? He comes by way of a 5 year, $60M free agent deal. But, why here? RF belongs to Randy Winn (.300, 42 2B). This outfield group will cover a ton of ground in wide open AT&T Park which is one of the very few bright spots heading into '08. With good news comes bad news. Roberts and Winn do not have strong arms at all and runners will exploit this weakness game after game. Benji Molina (.276, 19 HR), of the Molina brothers, is back behind the plate.
Prediction: 5th, dead last.

Stay Tuned for Digger's Playoff and Individual Award Predictions