NL West: Sizing Up the Offense, Starting Pitching and Bullpen for Each Team

May 16, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) takes Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) for an out in the fourth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) takes Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) for an out in the fourth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
2 of 5
May 11, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) and first baseman Mark Reynolds (12) celebrate after the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) and first baseman Mark Reynolds (12) celebrate after the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Offense 

  1. Los Angeles Dodgers: Much to my surprise, the Dodgers have actually had the best offense in the NL West this year. They’re second in the NL in average at .264, and third in runs scored. And they do their damage without the long ball as they’re just 11th in the NL in home runs.
  2. Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks had an offensive explosion to begin the year and haven’t really slowed down. They’re hitting .263 as a team, right behind the Dodgers. And they’re fourth in the NL in runs with 206. Unlike the Dodgers, they do rely heavily on the home run as they’re third in the NL with 56.
  3. Colorado Rockies: Before writing this article I assumed the Rockies would be number one. But they’re hitting just .256 as a team with 199 runs scored and 52 home runs. That’s still puts them in the top 10 in every category in the NL, but you expect more out of Denver. Pretty scary that they’re in first place without the offense firing on all cylinders.
  4. San Diego Padres: The Padres have the worst average in the NL at .221 and are 14th in runs scored. However, they are tied for fifth in the NL in home runs — that’s very odd. Some of their young players are starting to develop, and I think this offense gets better as the year goes on.
  5. San Francisco Giants: The Giants are actually last in the NL in runs scored at 142, but they’re hitting .231 as a team, which is 13th in the NL. They also have the fewest home runs in the NL. There is no reason for the Giants’ offense to be this bad, and I don’t expect them to stay near the bottom of the NL all year.

Schedule