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UCB Predictions IV: NL West

Posted on April 7, 2010 at 6:13 PM
Filed Under: United Cardinal Bloggers
I'm way behind on getting these up, but I wanted to do my duty as a United Cardinal Blogger.  Not a lot of detail, but at least I'll be on record.

1) Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers beat the Cardinals in the playoffs last year and haven't shown many signs of slipping from that level.  The pitching staff is still very strong, highlighted by Clayton Kershaw at the top of the rotation and Jonathan Broxton shutting the door in the ninth.

The lineup isn't anything to worry about either, with players like Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, James Loney, and Manny Ramirez out there slugging.  Couple that with a weaker division and, if it wasn't for the Rockies, LA might have this locked up in mid-August.

2) Colorado Rockies

Who'd have thought that you could ever have a serious discussion about the Rockies and lead off with their pitching staff?  The Rockies have finally figured out how to be solid on the mound as well as at the plate.  Ubaldo Jimenez, Aaron Cook, and others help Colorado stay within shouting distance of the Dodgers.  They can slug, we know that, but now they can stop the other teams from slugging, and that's a great combination.

3) Arizona Diamondbacks

The drop off between second and third in this division is pretty noticable.  The Diamondbacks are intriguing, especially after grabbing Edwin Jackson to pair up with Dan Haren at the top of the rotation.  Jackson may not be as good as he was last year, but moving to the NL may mask some of that.  I think they'll regret not having Max Scherzer, though, and who knows when and if Brandon Webb will return to them.

The offense has some potential, such as Justin Upton, but there's still some work to do in that regard.

4) San Francisco Giants

If the offense they have shown in their opening series against Houston holds up, they'll move up this list.  However, I don't think you'll find too many who would expect that to happen.  YOu have Pablo Sandoval and then...what?  Bengie Molina?  Aaron Rowand?  The pitching staff is solid, especially with Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain at the top, but that can only go so far.

5) San Diego Padres

When your biggest highlight may be the trade rumors around your biggest player, you may have issues.  San Diego is going to be able to pitch somewhat--the ballpark helps out with that--but the staff is not exactly loaded with studs.  Chris Young is servicable and there are high hopes for Mat Latos, but there may not be anyone left to score runs if and when Adrian Gonzalez gets shipped off.


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BrewCards | April 7, 2010 6:37 PM | Reply

Wrong.

Giants and Rockies will fight this one out and both make the playoffs. Dodgers will be 3rd.

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Yadier Molina (9)
Ryan Theriot (8)
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Daniel Descalso (3)
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Marc Rzepczynski (2)
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Mitchell Boggs (1)
Daniel Descalso (1)
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2010 Top Heroes: Matt Holliday and Albert Pujols (24)
2009 Top Hero: Albert Pujols (28)
2008 Top Hero: Albert Pujols (25)

Goats
Ryan Theriot (12)
Albert Pujols (11)
Jake Westbrook (10)
David Freese (8)
Ryan Franklin (7)
Jaime Garcia (7)
Fernando Salas (7)
Kyle Lohse (6)
Kyle McClellan (6)
Colby Rasmus (6)
Skip Schumaker (6)
Miguel Batista (5)
Chris Carpenter (5)
Daniel Descalso (5)
Matt Holliday (5)
Jon Jay (5)
Jason Motte (5)
Allen Craig (4)
Rafael Furcal (4)
Tyler Greene (4)
Yadier Molina (4)
Lance Berkman (3)
Mitchell Boggs (3)
Gerald Laird (3)
Edwin Jackson (2)
Trever Miller (2)
Corey Patterson (2)
Marc Rzepczynski (2)
Matt Carpenter (1)
Maikel Cleto (1)
Tony Cruz (1)
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Mark Hamilton (1)
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PJ Walters (1)

2010 Top Goat: Brendan Ryan (14)
2009 Top Goats: Rick Ankiel and Todd Wellemeyer (13)
2008 Top Goat: Troy Glaus (13)

    Cardinal Nation Approval Ratings (March 2011)
    Adam Wainwright 94.7% (down 0.9%)
    Matt Holliday 91.1% (up 6.6%)
    Albert Pujols 90.4% (down 8.3%)
    Dave Duncan 87.9% (up 0.9%)
    Derrick Goold 87.8%
    Chris Carpenter 86.9% (down 6.7%)
    Matthew Leach 85.5%
    Mike Shannon 84.9% (down 4.6%)
    John Rooney 84.3% (up 8.1%)
    Yadier Molina 83.7% (down 8.3%)
    Colby Rasmus 81.8% (up 5.0%)
    Pop Warner 76.7%
    Jim Hayes 76.1%
    John Mozeliak 74.1% (down 12.0%)
    Ryan Franklin 72.8% (up 3.1%)
    Bill Dewitt 71.0% (down 12.0%)
    Tony La Russa 70.8% (down 10.2%)
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    Al Hrabosky 63.2% (up 19.0%)
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    Dan Lozano 58.7%
    Joe Strauss 57.5%
    Kyle Lohse 55.1% (down 11.7%)

    2009
    Rick Ankiel 83.9%
    Chris Duncan 69.1%


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