MLB Preview Special

National League West
In this division, there will be winners and there will be losers. But it’s usually hard to pick out which is which until they start playing.

(“There will be winners and there will be losers.” That is so great and profound. Do they give out Pulitzers for blogs?”)

Winner: The Rockies. Yes, the Rockies win! The only team in my time zone will take it. No. Just kidding. On the other hand, with Colorado’s new relaxed drug enforcement policy, Rocky Mountain High/Reefer Madness Wednesdays are going to be a big hit (pardon the pun) with the fans. (I wonder if they’ll actually try that promotion?) May as well keep going in reverse order on this list.

Diamondbacks: As soon as Kirk Gibson starts inserting himself into the lineup as a pinch hitter, they will win. Personally, I am glad I’ll still be able to hear Bob Brenly’s excellent color commentary with the team, even though he left the Cubs. That may be all I’m looking forward to with this team.

Padres: The good news is that they moved the fences in at their cavernous Pet Crap Park. The bad news, they still won’t hit and this move will expose their pitching. Well, even though you guys live in a corrupt, bankrupt, over-taxed, state that been all but colonized by some other countries, at least you live in beautiful San Diego, until it falls into the ocean.

Dodgers: Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Kemp, and Clayton Kershaw are the only reason I’m not picking this team for last. All of the other additions to the team, especially Zack Greinke, are going to be subtractions. You mark my words. (So that I can more easily identify them when I’m forced to eat them later.)

Actual Winner: The Giants. Can you really pick against these guys after two recent World Series wins? Everybody else is. Everywhere I look on this team, I see question marks: the hitting, Lincecum, Zito, and the lack of upgrades during the off-season. There’s plenty of answers though: the defense, Posey, Panda, Romo, and the pitching in general. Bruce Bochy is one of the team’s biggest assets, and as long as he’s there with some good players (along with the occasional Hunter Pence motivational speech), they’ll win.