2021 National League West Prediction
We are now only 16 days until Opening Day for Major League Baseball!! I am getting so excited to watch a full 162 game season again. I have predicted the standing for the American Central, AL East, and National League Central. Check those out if you want. Pat Shuman has done most of his MLB division predictions, check out his version of the NL West here. I will be doing the NL West today. I believe this is the most top heavy division in all of baseball. The Dodgers are the reigning World Series champs and the Padres loaded up this offseason. While the other 3 teams are still trying to get better. I am going to give records based on 162 games.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers 108-54
The Dodgers have been chasing that World Series for a long time now. They lost in both 2017 and 2018, while losing in the first round in 2019. All 3 of those years they were the considered either the best or second best team in baseball. Finally in 2020 the Dodgers were able to put it all together and win it all. They could do it again in 2021. Adding the 2020 NL Cy Young winner in Trevor Bauer helps a lot. Cody Bellinger had a down 2020 according to his standard set in the first 3 years of his career. He will have a bounce back year in 2021 and be back to his All-Star form. The Dodgers could and probably will have the best record in baseball.
2. San Diego Padres 100-62
The Padres were able to make the playoffs in 2020. But, they were not satisfied. The Padres went out and traded for Yu Darvish and Blake Snell to strengthen their rotation. Competing with the Dodgers means the Padres have to play their best all season long. Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a 14 year $340 million extension to stay a Padre. I think the NL West battle will be like 2018 AL East. Where is it close and both teams are very good, but the Dodgers pull away. The Padres are still a year or two away from winning the World Series, but do not be surprised if you see them in the NLCS.
3. San Francisco Giants 82-80
I think the Giants are getting better. Getting Buster Posey back will be a huge help. Joey Bart is the future, but he is not ready yet. The Giants will compete in the next few years, but 2021 is not their year. Especially being in the same division as the Dodgers and Padres.
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4. Arizona Diamondbacks 80-82
It is the same thing as the Giants with the D-Backs. They have some solid pieces like Ketel Marte, Kole Calhoun, and Madison Bumgarner. But the rest of the roster is not that strong. They will not win many games in the division. Let’s see if they can get better in the next few years to compete with the Dodgers and Padres.
5. Colorado Rockies 72-90
The Rockies traded away their best player in Nolan Arenado and they have made it clear Trevor Story will not get an extension. The Rockies do not have a lot to look forward to in 2021. This will be a tough year for them. Hopefully they can get better and compete, but with the way ownership is who knows when that will be.
Wrap Up
The Dodgers and Padres both got better in the offseason. That will make for the most top heavy but fun division races. The rest of the NL West will not be great. Check out Legends Lingo!
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-Tom “Powder” Cadmus (@powder42308)
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