2015 MLB preview: National League West
Los Angeles Dodgers
2014 record: 94-68, first place, lost to St. Louis in division series
Manager: Don Mattingly (fifth season)
Hot Spots: Starting rotation and bullpen. Persistent discomfort in LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu’s (14-7, 3.38 ERA) left shoulder will land him on the disabled list to begin the season. That leaves a potential hole in the rotation, led by a pair of Cy Young Award winners in LHP Clayton Kershaw (21-3, 1.77, N.L. MVP and Cy Young Award) and RHP Zack Greinke (17-8, 2.71). RHP Kenley Jansen (2-3, 2.76, 44/49 saves) is out injured as well.
Outlook: For the first time in a couple of years, the Dodgers weren’t asked about expectations this spring. Perhaps that’s because there’s only one: win the World Series. After a couple of narrow misses, can they finally get there? Kershaw, the three-time Cy Young Award winner, seems more determined than ever, especially after last October’s meltdown against the Cardinals. But he’ll need some help, especially from RF Yasiel Puig (.296, 16 HRs, 69 RBIs, 37 2Bs). Meanwhile, they have shored up the middle of their infield with two veterans in SS Jimmy Rollins (.243, 17, 55, 28 SBs with Phillies) and 2B Howie Kendrick (.293, 7, 75 with Angels). They also might get some major run production from CF Joc Pederson, a premier prospect.
San Francisco Giants
2014 record: 88-74, second place, wild card, World Series champions
Manager: Bruce Bochy (ninth season)
Hot Spots: Starting rotation. LHP Madison Bumgarner (18-10, 2.98, 219 Ks, 217 1/3 IP) almost single-handedly led San Francisco to the title last season, going 4-1 with a 1.03 ERA in the postseason, including a five-inning save in Game 7 of the World Series against Kansas City. Beyond Bumgarner, there are serious questions about San Francisco’s rotation. RHP Matt Cain (2-7, 4.18) is coming back from elbow surgery, RHP Tim Hudson (9-13, 3.57) turns 40 this summer, RHP Jake Peavy (7-13, 3.73 with Boston and San Francisco) has a 4.00 ERA the past five seasons and RHP Tim Lincecum (12-9, 4.74) has the fifth-highest ERA in the majors (4.76) over the last three seasons.
Outlook: The Giants are coming off their third World Series title in five seasons and hope to end the pattern of following a championship by missing the playoffs. The biggest offseason change was the loss of postseason star Pablo Sandoval, who signed with Boston. 3B Casey McGehee (.287, 4, 76 with Marlins) takes the spot at third, but the Giants will need to find another way to fill the power void. With RF Hunter Pence (.277, 20, 74) out at the start of the season with a broken left arm and outfielder Michael Morse now in Miami, there is little power left in San Francisco’s lineup.
San Diego Padres
2014 record: 77-85, third place
Manager: Bud Black (ninth season)
Hot Spots: Outfield. How newcomers CF Wil Myers (.222, 6, 35 with Rays), RF Matt Kemp (.287, 25, 89, 38 2Bs with Dodgers) and LF Justin Upton (.270, 29, 102, 34 2Bs with Braves) mesh will be the key to the offense and defense. Kemp moves to right with arthritic hips, while Myers is playing center for the first time since the minors.
Outlook: First-year GM A.J. Preller has assembled a team that barely resembles the 2014 edition that scored a major league-low 535 runs. The opening-day lineup should feature six players not in San Diego a year ago. The team added offense while keeping its solid rotation intact and adding a new ace in RHP James Shields (14-8, 3.21 with Royals). The overhaul puts more pressure on Black, in the final year of his contract, to quickly produce with his new parts.
Colorado Rockies
2014 record: 66-96, fourth place
Manager: Walt Weiss (third season)
Hot Spots: Starting rotation. LHP Jorge De La Rosa (14-11, 4.10) has been dealing with a nagging groin injury, which made the decision to release Jhoulys Chacin all the more surprising. Chacin struggled this spring and the Rockies thought they simply had better options.
Outlook: The Rockies are banking on bounce-back seasons from SS Troy Tulowitzki (.340, 21, 52 in 91 games) and RF Carlos Gonzalez (.238, 11, 38 in 70 games) to get back on track. The Rockies boast an impressive infield, with 3B Nolan Arenado (.287, 18, 61, 34 2Bs) and 2B DJ LeMahieu (.267, 5, 42) earning Gold Gloves in 2014.
Arizona Diamondbacks
2014 record: 64-98, last place
Manager: Chip Hale (first season).
Hot Spots: Starting rotation. RHP Josh Collmenter (11-9, 3.46) will be the opening-day starter, which is a nice reward for him but doesn’t say much about the strength of Arizona’s rotation. The D-backs picked up RHP Jeremy Hellickson (1-5, 4.52 with Rays) in a trade with Tampa Bay and are hoping his struggles from last season are behind him. RHP Bronson Arroyo and LHP Patrick Corbin could be available later in the year after having Tommy John surgery last season. .
Outlook: The Diamondbacks are hoping to make big strides after finishing with the worst record in baseball and second-worst in franchise history last season. With players like CF A.J. Pollock (.302, 7, 24), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.300, 19, 69, 39 2Bs) and RF Mark Trumbo (.235, 14, 61) – and possibly 3B Yasmany Tomas, a power hitter from Cuba – the Diamondbacks should be able to hit. The key will be pitching.