Hi everyone, we have officially completed our round around baseball. We conclude today in a division that is very familiar to myself living in this region my whole life. That’s the NL West, should be a fun division this year, let’s get into it.
5th: Rockies 64-98
Best Prop Bet: Over 63.5 Wins (Very small wager)
Projected Lineup
- CF Raimel Tapia
- 2B Ryan McMahon
- SS Trevor Story
- RF Charlie Blackmon
- 1B C.J Cron
- LF Sam Hillard
- 3B Josh Fuentes
- C Elias Diaz
Rotation
- German Marquez
- Jon Gray
- Austin Gomber
- Antonio Senzatela
- Chi Chi Gonzalez
Bullpen
CL: Daniel Bard
Setup: Mychal Givens
Setup Carlos Estevez
Setup: Tyler Kinley
Overview: Boy has times changed in the mile high city. Just three seasons ago the Rockies were a darkhorse to win it all heading into that postseason after a thrilling Wild Card win in Wrigley field. Coming into this season there is a very legitimate chance the Rockies finish with the worst record in the NL (Pirates included because of the division the two teams play in). The lineup is one of the worst in the NL and if star shortstop Trevor Story gets traded (as many project) they will be even worse in the second half. Even accounting for hitters paradise Coors field the Rockies will be league average or worse in runs scored. The starting pitching was the strength of this team and above average overall but one of their best starters Kyle Freeland will be out for a month with a shoulder strain. It will be tough sledding in the land of mountains and Coors in 2021.
4th: Giants 75-87
Best Prop Bets: Under 75.5 Wins (Very Small Wager)
Projected Lineup
- 3B Tommy La Stella
- RF Mike Yastrzemski
- 2B Donovan Solano
- LF Alex Dickerson
- C Buster Posey
- 1B Brandon Belt
- SS Brandon Crawford
- CF Mauricio Dubon
Starting Rotation
- Kevin Gausman
- Johnny Cueto
- Anthony DeSclafani
- Alex Wood
- Aaron Sanchez
Bullpen
CL: Jake McGee
Setup: Tyler Rogers
Setup: Reyes Moronta
Setup: Matt Wisler
Overview: The Giants are bringing the band back together for one last ride in 2021. The trio of Belt, Posey and Crawford have seen the highs of the three World Championships in the early 2010s and the lows of the past five season in which the Giants have failed to finish above .500. I expect more of the latter in 2021, but the Giants will still be a competitive baseball team throughout this season. The lineup is solid overall but very little power (which does play to their cavernous ballpark), Donovan Solano is one of the most underrated hitters in the game. The rotation is veteran laden but without a true ace, it is rotation full of number 3 and 4 starters, Johnny Cueto’s days of being a top end starter has come and gone but is still a solid innings eater. The bullpen is good in the back end, but their middle relief is very weak and will be a problem. As the theme goes with recent Giants seasons expect the Giants to be lingering around in the first half then fall out of contention by mid August.
3rd: Diamondbacks 84-78
Best Prop Bet: Over 75.5 Wins (Healthy Wager)
Projected Lineup
- LF David Peralta
- CF Ketel Marte
- 3B Eduardo Escobar
- 1B Christian Walker
- 2B Josh Rojas
- C Carson Kelly
- RF Pavin Smith
- SS Nick Ahmed
Rotation
- Madison Bumgarner
- Merrill Kelly
- Taylor Widener
- Caleb Smith
- Luke Weaver
Bullpen
CL: Joakim Soria
Setup: Kevin Ginkel
Setup: Keury Mella
Setup: Stefon Crichton
Overview: The Diamondbacks over is one of the best bets in 2021. The Diamondbacks are not great at any area but also not weak either. The lineup is solid, almost a mirror of the Giants with a lot of .260 to .290 hitter but not a lot of power. The rotation has potential to be great but there are some what ifs, mainly are we getting the spring and most of his career Madison Bumgarner or the 2020 Madison Bumgarner. The bullpen is solid overall but middle relief as many teams will be an issue. What makes the snakes better than the Giants in 2021 is lineup and rotation depth. DBacks will be a surprise but still not quite good enough to contend for a postseason berth in 2021.
2nd: Padres 95-67 (4th seed in NL)
Best Prop Bet: Fernando Tatis NL MVP +900 (decent wager)
Projected Lineup
- SS Fernando Tatis Jr.
- 2B Jake Cronenworth
- 3B Manny Machado
- 1B Eric Hosmer
- CF Tommy Pham
- LF Wil Myers
- C Victor Caratini
- RF Jurickson Profar
Rotation
- Yu Darvish
- Blake Snell
- Joe Musgrove
- Chris Paddack
- Adrian Morejon
Bullpen
CL: Emilio Pagan
Setup: Mark Melancon
Setup: Drew Pomeranz
Setup: Keone Kela
Overview: 2020 was the beginning of what appears to be a potentially special run for team brown and yellow brown and yellow brown and yellow. The lineup is one of the best in the game led by up and coming superstar (and my MVP pick) Fernando Tatis Jr. If there is a concern it may be that the bottom of the lineup is a lot of boom and bust but overall not an easy out amongst this lineup, the Padres are going to score a lot of runs. The loss of Mike Clevinger and Dinelson Lamet will hurt this rotation but the additions of Yu Darvish, Blake Snell and Joe Musgrove still makes this rotation one of the games best. If there is a bone with the Padres it’s having a solid but not elite bullpen. If I did a power rankings today I would have the Padres at number 2, 3 or 4 but they will still be a Wild Card team because of our number 1 team in the West and baseball which I will get to shortly.
1st: Dodgers 103-59 (1st seed in NL)
Best Prop Bet: Walker Buehler CY Young +900 (Decent Wager)
Projected Lineup
- RF Mookie Betts
- SS Corey Seager
- 3B Justin Turner
- 1B Max Muncy
- C Will Smith
- CF Cody Bellinger
- LF A.J Pollock
- 2B Gavin Lux
Projected Lineup
- Clayton Kershaw
- Walker Buehler
- Trevor Bauer
- Julio Urias
- Dustin May
Bullpen
CL: Kenley Jansen
Setup: Brusdar Graterol
Setup: Blake Treinen
Setup: Corey Knebel
Overview: Come on man, the Dodgers just steamrolled through all of baseball in a shortened season and now they added the defending Cy Young award winner Trevor Bauer (and he’s their number 3 starter!!!). The lineup is ridiculous (only the Yankees are in conversation for best lineup in baseball) but why not find a couple of bones to pick, Max Muncy does not hit for a high average, Justin Turner isn’t a slugger (he’ll maybe hit 20 homeruns if that), Gavin Lux is still unproven. Does Dave Roberts truly trust Kenley Jansen as their closer still? I’m pulling at straws here people. The Dodgers are loaded and an overwhelming favorite to get back to the World Series for the 4th time in 5 years. Their biggest threat in the playoffs will be the Padres/Mets winner in a 5 game series because both teams have high end top of rotation starting pitching. We can crown the Dodgers in March but that’s why they play the full 162. It will be a fun 2021 season. Playoff predictions coming tomorrow!!!