Listen to critics the past two years and you would think the NL West was to baseball what Sandra Bullock is to time-travel films. This year, the punch lines will punch back. There will be a 90-win team in this division, which is glistening with star pitchers (Derek Lowe, Barry Zito, Randy Johnson) and loaded with many of the game’s top young players (Russell Martin, Chris Young, Troy Tulowitzki). In a congested race, the Dodgers will trade for an impact bat (Texas’ Mark Teixeira, anyone?) to wiggle past the Padres.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers | 88-74, tied for first
LINEUP (’06 average)
SS Rafael Furcal .300
CF Juan Pierre .292
1B N. Garciaparra .303
2B Jeff Kent .292
LF Luis Gonzalez .271
C Russell Martin .282
RF Andre Ethier .308
3B Wilson Betemit .263
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
RHP Derek Lowe 3.63
LHP Randy Wolf 5.56
RHP Jason Schmidt 3.59
RHP Brad Penny 4.33
RHP Brett Tomko 4.73
CLOSER (’06 saves)
Takashi Saito 24
MANAGER
Grady Little
IN FOCUS
This team was pitching-rich before pitcher Matt White showed up in camp. If Randy Wolf is healthy, the top four starters all could reach double figures in wins. Takashi Saito had a remarkable rookie season, yet he could eventually end up as Jonathan Broxton’s setup man.
IN DARKROOM
General manager Ned Colletti continues trolling for an impact bat. He would be willing to package pitcher Chad Billingsley and possibly third-base prospect Andy LaRoche to make the deal happen.
PERFECT IMAGE
The Dodgers drive opponents batty with the go-go antics of Rafael Furcal and Juan Pierre, and the rotation takes shape behind former Giants nemesis Jason Schmidt.
2. San Diego Padres | 88-74, tied for first
LINEUP (’06 average)
2B Marcus Giles .262
RF Brian Giles .263
CF Mike Cameron .268
1B Adrian Gonzalez .304
LF Terrmel Sledge .229
3B K. Kouzmanoff .214
C Josh Bard .333
SS Khalil Greene .245
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
RHP Jake Peavy 4.09
RHP Chris Young 3.46
RHP Clay Hensley 3.71
RHP Greg Maddux 4.20
LHP David Wells 4.42
CLOSER (’06 saves)
Trevor Hoffman 46
MANAGER
Bud Black
IN FOCUS
Nobody pieces a bullpen together like Padres GM Kevin Towers. In Scott Linebrink and Cla Meredith, Towers has a sturdy bridge to the ageless Trevor Hoffman.
IN DARKROOM
The Padres are counting on Kevin Kouzmanoff, Evergreen High School’s own, to develop into their version of Garrett Atkins. The Padres don’t need a singles hitter. They want thump from a position that has been an eyesore since Ken Caminiti left.
PERFECT IMAGE
The Giles brothers reach base frequently enough to make an all-star out of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. The team continues to consistently win white-knuckle, 3-2 games as Greg Maddux and David Wells combine for 25 victories.
3. Arizona D-backs | 76-86, tied for fourth
LINEUP (’06 average)
SS Stephen Drew .316
2B Orlando Hudson .287
LF Eric Byrnes .267
3B Chad Tracy .281
1B Connor Jackson .291
RF Carlos Quentin .253
CF Chris Young .243
C Chris Snyder .277
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
RHP Brandon Webb 3.10
LHP Randy Johnson 5.00
RHP L. Hernandez 4.83
LHP Doug Davis 4.91
RHP Edgar Gonzalez 4.22
CLOSER (’06 saves)
Jose Valverde 18
MANAGER
Bob Melvin
IN FOCUS
This team’s ability to contend hinges on its rotation. With Randy Johnson expected back in mid-April, the Diamondbacks have four starters capable of eclipsing 200 innings.
IN DARKROOM
If Chris Young blossoms into a rookie-of-the-year candidate, the offense could suddenly click.
PERFECT IMAGE
The D-backs are fashioning themselves as contenders, but their bullpen sits on quicksand. If Tony Peña is turning out the lights in the ninth at the end of the season, the Snakes could have some slither left in September.
4. San Francisco Giants | 76-85, third
LINEUP (’06 average)
CF Dave Roberts .293
SS Omar Vizquel .295
LF Barry Bonds .270
2B Ray Durham .293
1B Rich Aurilia .300
3B Pedro Feliz .244
C Bengie Molina .284
RF Randy Winn .262
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
LHP Barry Zito 3.83
RHP Matt Cain 4.15
RHP Matt Morris 4.98
LHP Noah Lowry 4.74
RHP Russ Ortiz 8.14
CLOSER (’06 saves)
Armando Benitez 17
MANAGER
Bruce Bochy
IN FOCUS
The Giants are spangled with veterans who know how to win, including 1B Rich Aurilia, a former shortstop, and Bengie Molina, who helped the Angels win the 2002 title. Barry Bonds’ pursuit of Hank Aaron won’t begin in earnest until about the all-star break.
IN DARKROOM
Brian Wilson is not a Beach Boy, but a future closer with stuff that is the equivalent of throwing sand in a batter’s face. His development would help ease the sting of trading Joe Nathan to the Twins.
PERFECT IMAGE
Bonds stays healthy, isn’t indicted, doesn’t take any pills from a teammate’s locker and hits 35 home runs. If Bonds doesn’t come up larger than his head size, the Giants will shrink.
5. Colorado Rockies | 76-86, tied for fourth
LINEUP (’06 average)
CF Willy Taveras .278
2B Kaz Matsui .267
3B Garrett Atkins .329
1B Todd Helton .302
LF Matt Holliday .326
RF Brad Hawpe .293
SS Troy Tulowitzki .240
C Chris Iannetta .260
ROTATION (’06 ERA)
RHP Aaron Cook 4.23
LHP Jeff Francis 4.16
RHP Rodrigo Lopez 5.90
RHP Jason Hirsh 6.04
RHP Josh Fogg 5.49
CLOSER (’06 saves)
Brian Fuentes 30
MANAGER
Clint Hurdle
IN FOCUS
Padres starter Chris Young reeled off the names in the middle of the Rockies’ order and blurted, “I really don’t like facing that team.” The Rockies’ offense should get hoppy at Coors Field.
IN DARKROOM
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and catcher Chris Iannetta, both rookies, are manning two of the most important positions but have shown maturity beyond their years. The key to their development is how they handle the inevitable slumps.
PERFECT IMAGE
Rockies camouflage mediocre starting pitching with an offense that brings chills to opponents at Coors Field. The team forces ownership into making the first big trading deadline deal since Bret Saberhagen in 1995.
