LOS ANGELES DODGERS (53-43, 1ST PLACE, NL WEST)
BIG PICTURE: The Dodgers are again contending for the
National League West title, which would be their sixth in a row, while drawing
upon their extraordinary depth to offset significant injuries to four starting
pitchers plus shortstop Corey Seager ’s season-ending elbow injury.
Mindful of the tight division race, the franchise’s World Series championship
drought dating to 1989 and the excellence of three American League clubs, the
front office has been focused on acquiring impact talent, and the Dodgers were
considered the front-runners to acquire Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny
Machado.
BEST PERFORMANCE: Dodgers hitters combined for 55
home runs in June, a team record for a month, and went 17-9 to climb back into
the race.
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Max Muncy became one of
the most productive hitters in the big leagues one year after the Oakland
Athletics released him. His 22 home runs in 225 at-bats showed off his
excellent plate discipline.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Call it a near-tie between
losing Seager in late April and Clayton Kershaw going on the
disabled list twice.
TRADE-DEADLINE FORECAST: The Dodgers figure to
get a setup reliever and Baltimore was expected to trade shortstop Manny
Machado to them at press time. Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier also was a
possibility.
KEY SERIES: vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Aug. 30-31,
Sept. 1-2
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (53-44, 2ND PLACE, NL WEST)
BIG PICTURE: Baseball in the desert is extra hard for
pitchers and fielders, but less so for the Diamondbacks since a brain trust
imported from Boston took over two seasons ago. A year after it led the league
in ERA adjusted for ballpark, Arizona is back near the top of that category
while again contending for a playoff spot. The D’backs are aces at run
prevention despite losing one starting pitcher, Taijuan Walker , for
the season and getting a whole lot less from No. 2 starter Robbie Rathan
a season ago. The team’s pitchers praise the plans of strategist Dan Harem and
an efficient defense.
BEST PERFORMANCE: All-Star Patrick Corbin logged
a 3.24 ERA in 20 starts. The left-hander was even better than his ERA, posting
excellent numbers that filter out defense.
BIGGEST SURPRISE: For the season’s first third,
Paul Goldschmidt batted .210 with 72 strikeouts
in 200 at-bats. And yet Arizona was two games over .500.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Ray missed 10 starts because
of a strained side muscle and has a 5.03 ERA.
TRADE-DEADLINE FORECAST General manager Mike
Hazen figures to add a reliever. He’s been showing enough interest in
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado to bid up the price the rival Los
Angeles Dodgers or someone else might pay.
KEY SERIES: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Sept. 24-26
COLORADO ROCKIES (51-45, 3RD PLACE, NL
WEST)
BIG PICTURE: They’re in the hunt for a playoff berth,
and that counts for something. However, they underexploited favorable
circumstances and now might need general manager Jeff Bridich to
hit a home run in the trade market to stay relevant in the National League West
race. The special opportunity came from a rotation that enjoyed phenomenal
health and consistency despite the challenge of home games at high altitude. No
pitcher missed a start until a healthy Jon Gray was demoted
June 30. A shaky bullpen and a spotty offense had them below .500 until a hot
streak before the break.
BEST PERFORMANCE: Kyle Freeland , a
Denver product in his second season, pitched to a 3.11 ERA over 19 starts and
allowed a .238 batting average. The astute lefty has given up two runs or fewer
in his past six starts.
BIGGEST SURPRISE: It’s never shocking when a Rockies
pitcher plummets, but the implosion of newcomer Bryan Shaw came
after the reliever had logged good or great adjusted ERAs in all seven seasons,
including two with the Diamondbacks and five with the Cleveland Indians.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Shaw stands out, but
relievers Mike Dunn (9.00 ERA) and Jake McGee (6.15
ERA) also have been disappointing.
TRADE-DEADLINE FORECAST: Adding a catcher would
make sense, especially if it’s a money deal.
KEY SERIES: at Arizona Diamondbacks July 20-22
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (50-48, 4TH PLACE, NL WEST)
BIG PICTURE: The Giants have played much better than
last season (not hard — they lost 98 games) but still don’t look like a strong
contender because they have given up more runs than they have scored. The
lineup got good results from shortstop Brandon Crawford and first
baseman Brandon Belt. Rookie pitchers Dereck Rodriguez and Andrew
Suarez blunted the long injury hiatuses of ace Madison
Bumgarner and- Johnny Cueto.
BEST PERFORMANCE: Crawford, rebounding from a
trying 2017, got off to a slow start but went on one of the best stretches
of his career (he hit .412 in May and .326 in June). He is the National
League’s starting shortstop in the All-Star Game and is on pace for his best
offensive season while continuing his usual stellar defensive playing.
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Outfielder Gorkys Hernandez has
11 home runs in 260 at-bats a season after he hit zero in 310 at-bats. He began
the year with five career home runs. His .778 OPS (on-base plus slugging
percentage) is more than 100 points above his career mark.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Closer Hunter
Strickland broke his pitching hand when he punched a door after his
fourth blown save in 17 opportunities. He isn’t due back before August.
TRADE-DEADLINE FORECAST Brian Sabean will
target relievers.
KEY SERIES: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Sept. 28-30
SAN DIEGO PADRES (40-59, 5TH PLACE, NL WEST)
BIG PICTURE: The Padres are headed for their 15th
losing season in the 20 years since San Diegans voted to fund a new ballpark,
largely with public money. In that span, the team has won no playoff series or
a playoff game at home. The farm system is well-regarded, but the franchise MVP
might be the combination of spiffy ballpark and San Diego’s attractions as a
tourist city. Attendance has held steady.
BEST PERFORMANCE: Right-handed reliever Kirby
Yates, 31, has allowed a run only four times in 39 appearances and has
48 strikeouts in 37 2 ⁄ 3innings.
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Christian Villanueva, a
27-year-old rookie, has 19 home runs, 15 of them coming before the end of May.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Injuries limited right
fielder Wil Myers: to 10 games before June 21. He said he might
have bulked up too much last offseason in anticipation of moving from first
base to the outfield to make room for newcomer Eric Hosmer.
TRADE-DEADLINE FORECAST: Contenders will inquire
about Yates and closer Brad Hand, who has 24 saves, in
addition to right-handed starter Tyson Ross. The Padres will trade
at least one pitcher. Developing relievers into standouts is a franchise
strength, so the drop-off shouldn’t be overly concerning.
KEY SERIES: vs. Arizona Diamondbacks July 27-29
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