The National League West entered this season as baseball’s equivalent of a cover band. The division figured to be entertaining, but got no respect. Seven weeks in, people are quietly humming a different tune.
The West is the lone division in which every team has a winning record. Even more impressive, the West is 20 games over .500 outside the division.
“I really thought it was going to be a good division, that we were getting a bad rap,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “I thought a lot of teams improved themselves over the winter. And if people want to say the records are a result of playing each other, well, look how we have all done against other teams and that argument doesn’t wash either.”
A peak around the division, after Monday’s games:
Diamondbacks (25-19)
Who’s hot: Outfielders Shawn Green and Eric Byrnes have triggered an offensive onslaught this month. Green has eight multiple-hit games in May. Byrnes has seven RBIs in his past five games.
Who’s not: Anyone in the rotation not named Brandon Webb. Webb (7-0, 2.44 ERA) is in line to start the All-Star Game. The team’s other starters have a combined 5.73 ERA.
What to watch: How long can the bullpen absorb abbreviated outings by starters? Kevin Jarvis, an ex-Rockie, was called up as a reliever to eat some innings if necessary.
Rockies (25-20)
Who’s hot: Matt Holliday, an all-star candidate, is hitting .423 in May with seven home runs. He’s on pace to hit 44 home runs, with 19 on the road.
Who’s not: Todd Helton, on pace for 11 home runs, has batted .250 since returning from the disabled list.
What to watch: Sun-Woo Kim is likely to go to the bullpen this week, with Scott Dohmann a potential casualty. The Rockies will entertain trade offers as well. But the Blue Jays are eyeing Pittsburgh’s Oliver Perez (they have scouted all of his starts) and Ian Snell. And the Mets could take a run at Reds left-hander Dave Williams.
Dodgers (25-20)
Who’s hot: Rookie outfielder Andre Ethier, acquired for Milton Bradley, went 7-for-13 as the Dodgers swept the Angels for the first time.
Who’s not: Odalis Perez has pitched one inning in the bullpen since being banished from the rotation in favor of Aaron Sele.
What to watch: Closer Eric Gagne is targeted to return June 1, and the Dodgers soon will have Cesar Izturis back. Look for Rafael Furcal to play some third base alongside Izturis as the Dodgers showcase Izturis for a trade, possibly to the Red Sox.
Giants (24-21)
Who’s hot: The Giants’ rotation posted a 1.66 ERA in claiming a series at Oakland.
Who’s not: Lance Niekro landed on the disabled list because of a shoulder injury. Kevin Frandsen replaced him.
What to watch: The man who has knocked off the man goes up against the man this week as Cardinals star Albert Pujols, the most feared hitter in baseball, faces Barry Bonds, formerly the game’s most feared hitter.
Padres (23-22)
Who’s hot: Former Cherry Creek star Josh Bard, safely away from Tim Wakefield’s knuckleball, homered twice over the weekend.
Who’s not: Chan Ho Park matched his career worst outing by getting tagged for 10 runs Sunday.
What to watch: Can they recapture their May magic? The Padres are 36-13 in May in the past two seasons.
