MLB 2013 Preview – The NL West

The National League West was competitive right until the wire in 2012, and that test proved to benefit the division champ and eventual World Series winning San Francisco Giants. The Giants were led by MVP catcher Buster Posey, timely hitting from its infielders, and a pitching staff anchored by Matt Cain led to one of the most resilient postseason runs in history. San Francisco won seven different games where they faced elimination before sweeping the Tigers in the Fall Classic. The Los Angeles Dodgers offered the stiffest competition during the regular season, especially after their blockbuster trades with the Boston Red Sox. This year, the Dodgers have all of those offensive pieces ready from day one to compliment its own starting rotation led by young phenom Clayton Kershaw. They have plenty of injured players, too, but the deep Los Angeles pockets are sure to make the midseason roster retooling period interesting if they’re contending.

Click here for 2013 National League West Tickets, NL West Standings

Elsewhere in the NL West, the Arizona Diamondbacks traded away much of their outfield in the offseason but still plan to contend because of deep, balanced roster aimed at grinding out wins with good decisions and timely hitting. The D-backs staff added often-injured but more-often interesting and successful pitcher Brandon McCarthy to give their mound presence that same kind of smart, reliable attitude. The Colorado Rockies are hoping that a full healthy season from All World Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will help improve their offensive performance across the board. The Rockies pitchers will need to work as hard as ever to keep opponents visiting Coors Field at bay long enough for their own firepower to win the day. Finally, in beautiful San Diego, the Padres are looking to have another challenging season because of thin pitching and a lineup seemingly built to wait on the quick development of their minor league system. The Padres better hope for an especially rainy year, because they need their farm to bear fruit very, very quickly. Don’t count on it; after all, how often do you hear about a cloudy, wet forecast in San Diego?

2013 National League West Tickets

Giants Tickets

Diamondbacks Tickets

Dodgers Tickets

Padres Tickets

Rockies Tickets

NL West Standings

Team 2012 Record Games Back 2013 Notes
Giants 94-68 — Reigning World Series Champs
Dodgers 86-76 8 Mo’ money, mo’ problems
Diamondbacks 81-81 13 Pitching promise, lineup questions
Padres 76-86 18 Weak roster, especially on mound
Rockies 64-98 30 Healthier & loaded offense

MLB Opening Day News – National League West

Giants Set Out to Defend Their Title Again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbiL_j4trxk

National League West Odds and Over-Under Values

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1u84k23ioU