The NL West in 2008 was easily the weakest division in the National League, and perhaps the weakest division in baseball. The division averaged over 10 more losses than wins, and for a while it looked like a team with a losing record would win the division. 2009 tells a different stories, as three teams have turned it around.
That might not sound so great, but this is. The entire division the NL Central has an average of 53 wins and 57 losses, and the NL East has an average of 53 wins and 57 losses (the Nationals bring them down), but still with no huge additions.
Talent-wise, all teams have generally made some upgrades. Orlando Hudson is now a Dodger, Edgar Renteria has boosted the Giants' infield, and Jason Marquis has acted as an "ace" in Colorado thus far, helping the team win many games. More important than these new additions is the improved performance of many ordinary teammates in the midst of career years.
The most dangerous team so far in the West would be the LA Dodgers. Much of the team's success in 2009 results from its drastically improved pitching rotation. Chad Billingsley is having a great season, but so are Clayton Kershaw and Randy Wolf. Hiroki Kuroda has been serviceable as well, creating a very deep rotation in LA.
In the hitting department, there are Dodgers stepping it up as well. Andre Ethier is having the best year of his career, and Matt Kemp's blend of power, speed, and average has been invaluable to the team.
The improvement for the Giants has been its pitching, with Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain at the top of their order, with 24 wins between both of them. They're pretty much unstoppable but the biggest improvement was Pablo Sandoval, with a .332 average, 17 home runs, and 68 RBIs for the Rockies.
The bats in Colorado are still alive without Matt Holliday, with Brad Hawpe hitting .313 with 15 HR and 66 RBIs and Troy Tulowitzki, who has 20 HR and 53 RBIs. As everyone can see, the NL West is a lot better this year.
With the Dodgers having the best record in the NL and Giants and Rockies both at top of the wild card chase, the league had better watch out for them in the playoffs .
That might not sound so great, but this is. The entire division the NL Central has an average of 53 wins and 57 losses, and the NL East has an average of 53 wins and 57 losses (the Nationals bring them down), but still with no huge additions.
Talent-wise, all teams have generally made some upgrades. Orlando Hudson is now a Dodger, Edgar Renteria has boosted the Giants' infield, and Jason Marquis has acted as an "ace" in Colorado thus far, helping the team win many games. More important than these new additions is the improved performance of many ordinary teammates in the midst of career years.
The most dangerous team so far in the West would be the LA Dodgers. Much of the team's success in 2009 results from its drastically improved pitching rotation. Chad Billingsley is having a great season, but so are Clayton Kershaw and Randy Wolf. Hiroki Kuroda has been serviceable as well, creating a very deep rotation in LA.
In the hitting department, there are Dodgers stepping it up as well. Andre Ethier is having the best year of his career, and Matt Kemp's blend of power, speed, and average has been invaluable to the team.
The improvement for the Giants has been its pitching, with Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain at the top of their order, with 24 wins between both of them. They're pretty much unstoppable but the biggest improvement was Pablo Sandoval, with a .332 average, 17 home runs, and 68 RBIs for the Rockies.
The bats in Colorado are still alive without Matt Holliday, with Brad Hawpe hitting .313 with 15 HR and 66 RBIs and Troy Tulowitzki, who has 20 HR and 53 RBIs. As everyone can see, the NL West is a lot better this year.
With the Dodgers having the best record in the NL and Giants and Rockies both at top of the wild card chase, the league had better watch out for them in the playoffs .
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