2019 MLB Season Preview: NL West
The Dodgers look to continue their run towards becoming the Buffalo Bills of the MLB as they are now halfway to the four straight championship losses, but, hey, at least they won their league, right? The Rockies are poised to make the jump to win the division after forcing Game 163 and signing Nolan Arenado to a big extension this offseason. San Diego made another surprising free agent signing, but will it be enough to catapult them into contention
Los Angeles Dodgers
Key Question: How will the personnel changes affect the way the Dodgers play in 2019?
At the end of last season, the Dodgers had Manny Machado, Yasmani Grandal, Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig on their roster. For most teams, losing those four would be quite a blow in the offseason. Not the Dodgers.
The Dodgers are one of, if not the, deepest team in baseball. Their current run has really showcased their depth. The challenge the Dodgers face in 2019 is if their depth can hold up when it is not as deep as it has been. It’s going to challenge players to more sustained play because switching out for another quality player isn’t as likely. That being said, they are in a good division to not be as good as last year and still be able to make the playoffs.
Colorado Rockies
Key Question: Can the Rockies replace the Dodgers at the top of the division?
The Rockies had a great 2018 season. They were not able to make a deep run in the playoffs but there hasn’t been this much excitement surrounding this team in several years.
The challenge, as it always is in Denver, is the pitching. Though, last season’s pitching served them quite well. With Nolan Arenado locked up for the foreseeable future, I think last year was just the beginning of a good run for the Rockies.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Key Question: After a midseason collapse, will the Diamondbacks continue their decline in 2019?
The Diamondbacks started well in 2018, only to slowly fall apart by the end of the season. They continued in the downward spiral this offseason by trading away Paul Goldschmidt and losing Patrick Corbin and A.J. Pollock to free agency.
While Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray are a good tandem at the top of the rotation, the real question is going to be whether or not the offense can score enough runs to support those two, and if the team can scratch together wins when those two aren’t pitching. It’s going to be a difficult season in the desert.
San Francisco Giants
Key Question: Are the Giants rebuilding or not?
In the offseason, a lot of talk around the Giants has to do with whether or not they are rebuilding. I can’t say that they are, but they probably should. It appears as though they are trying to have a win-now attitude with a team that hasn’t won much in the last couple of years.
In 2018, the Giants were one of the oldest teams in baseball (in terms of average age of their players). As it stands now, all those players are one year older than they were last season. (How’s that for the most profound statement you are going to read today?) So, in short, the Giants aren’t rebuilding, but they probably should be.
San Diego Padres
Key Question: After signing a big name free agent for the second straight offseason, are the Padres poised to move up in the standings?
In signing Manny Machado, the Padres have now signed a premier free agent to a large contract for the second straight season. With Machado and Hosmer manning the corners, the signing of Ian Kinsler and the emergence of Fernando Tatis Jr., the Padres have a pretty decent infield. Pitching, on the other hand, may still be an issue for a team that ranked 27th in starter’s ERA in pitcher-friendly Petco Park.
Overall, expect to see the Padres making a move forward this season. They will, of course, be helped by the fact that the Diamondbacks and Giants aren’t very good, but a move up is a move up, regardless of how it happens. I would say they are still a good season or two away from their window, and that really hinges on them being able to get some quality pitching, but they will be a fun team to watch moving forward.
2019 Season Predictions
I keep going back and forth as to who is going to win the division — the Dodgers or the Rockies. The truth of the matter is that I think the Dodgers are the better overall team, and the Rockies don’t have the momentum they had at the end of last season. They’ll have another good year, and will be in contention until the last month, but I don’t see them overtaking the Dodgers this year. The Padres will leapfrog both the Giants and Diamondbacks this season, with the Diamondbacks living in the cellar for 2019.
