Final Predictions
NL dominating powers, AL up in the air
Frankie Garcia
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: Sports
The National League West should be taken by unanimous decision this year. Look for Joe Torre and the consistent Manny Ramirez to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to another division title. The team is young and talented, but also filled with veterans. Their pitching rotation is headed by the southpaw, Randy Wolf, and the dominant youngster, Chad Billingsley. The rest of the pitching staff has yet to prove themselves, beginning with 20-year-old Clayton Kenshaw. But so far he has great numbers: 19 K's in 12 IP and a 1.50 ERA.
Due to the lack of competition in the other teams in the West, it is likely that the LA Dodgers will run away with the division early. The San Diego Padres are rumored to be trading their ace Jake Peavy before the deadline. The Arizona Diamondbacks are without their ace Brandon Webb, but look for them to challenge the Dodgers throughout the season. But if the Dodgers' starting pitching can hold it together, they should have no trouble scoring runs and staying dominant throughout the year.
The Anaheim Angels, who won 100 games last year, were thought to be the favorite to win the American League West heading into spring training. Then John Lackey, Ervin Santana, and Kelvim Escobar (AKA their whole pitching rotation) all went on the disabled list. The pitching staff relies on Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver, who can both pitch marvelous games, but the team is not the same without their top three.
Look for either the Oakland Athletics or the Seattle Mariners to surprise this season. The Seattle Mariners have the edge as pitching sensation Felix Hernandez leads the rotation and is backed up by Erik Bedard. Bedard is posting up great numbers once again this year. Jared Washburn, who showed signs of digression after winning a championship with Anaheim, is also performing well. They lack offense with Ken Griffey Jr. and the mediocre Adrian Beltre (Beltre has not posted numbers anywhere near to that of his 2004 campaign with the Dodgers where he hit .334 with 48 HRS 121 RBI) as their power hitters. If their pitching can stay consistent then the Seattle Mariners might make it out on top in the AL West.
Due to the lack of competition in the other teams in the West, it is likely that the LA Dodgers will run away with the division early. The San Diego Padres are rumored to be trading their ace Jake Peavy before the deadline. The Arizona Diamondbacks are without their ace Brandon Webb, but look for them to challenge the Dodgers throughout the season. But if the Dodgers' starting pitching can hold it together, they should have no trouble scoring runs and staying dominant throughout the year.
The Anaheim Angels, who won 100 games last year, were thought to be the favorite to win the American League West heading into spring training. Then John Lackey, Ervin Santana, and Kelvim Escobar (AKA their whole pitching rotation) all went on the disabled list. The pitching staff relies on Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver, who can both pitch marvelous games, but the team is not the same without their top three.
Look for either the Oakland Athletics or the Seattle Mariners to surprise this season. The Seattle Mariners have the edge as pitching sensation Felix Hernandez leads the rotation and is backed up by Erik Bedard. Bedard is posting up great numbers once again this year. Jared Washburn, who showed signs of digression after winning a championship with Anaheim, is also performing well. They lack offense with Ken Griffey Jr. and the mediocre Adrian Beltre (Beltre has not posted numbers anywhere near to that of his 2004 campaign with the Dodgers where he hit .334 with 48 HRS 121 RBI) as their power hitters. If their pitching can stay consistent then the Seattle Mariners might make it out on top in the AL West.
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