Rotation's renaissance leads Rockies' rebound in suddenly competitive NL West

Rotation's renaissance leads Rockies' rebound in suddenly competitive NL West
As the 2020 season began, the Rockies weren't considered a legitimate playoff contender, not even in a 60-game season. After all, they finished last in 2019 with a rotation that had the highest ERA (5.87) in the National League. And the Rockies didn't bother to fix their starting staff. That brought second-guessing from critics. Colorado stuck with Jon Gray, Germán Márquez, Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela, four pitchers that helped them get to the playoffs in 2017 and 2018 who...

NL West preview: Dodgers again look like class of the division

NL West preview: Dodgers again look like class of the division
Projected order of finish for 2020: Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Padres, Giants, Rockies. Since 2013, the Dodgers have averaged 96 victories a season in winning seven consecutive National League West championships. That consistency hasn't shown up in the postseason. The Dodgers lost to Houston in 2017 World Series and to Boston in 2018 World Series. Last season, the Nationals eliminated the Dodgers in the Division Series. The Dodgers haven't won a World Series since 1988, the year of Kirk Gibson's...

Can upstart Rockies break Dodgers' stranglehold atop NL West?

Can upstart Rockies break Dodgers' stranglehold atop NL West?
The good news for the Los Angeles Dodgers is that they've been to the World Series two consecutive years. The bad news is that they've watched two teams - the Astros in 2017 and the Red Sox last season - celebrate a championship in Dodger Stadium. The Astros won Game 7, the Red Sox Game 5. The Dodgers vow to win the World Series this season, ending a championship drought that goes back to 1988, the year they beat the Athletics. But first things first: They have to take aim at winning their...

Dodgers have top mound staff in NL West, but Rockies are close behind

Dodgers have top mound staff in NL West, but Rockies are close behind
The best overall pitching in the National League West belongs to the Dodgers, but the Rockies aren't far behind, at least when it comes to youth and depth. The Dodgers' biggest addition is reliever Joe Kelly, who grew up a Dodgers fan and ate Dodger Dogs sitting in the left field seats at Dodger Stadium. Kelly, 30, helps a bullpen that goes thin when the postseason arrives. He pitched for World Series champion Boston last season. Arizona is without Patrick Corbin, now a National. The Giants...

Dodgers hope new arrival Machado will help them maintain control of NL West

Dodgers hope new arrival Machado will help them maintain control of NL West
The Dodgers, Manny Machado's new team, have a chance to get into the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. After the first six weeks, the Dodgers appeared to be going nowhere. Thanks to a season-ending elbow injury, shortstop Corey Seager, who will return next season, played his final game for the Dodgers on April 29. On May 16, the Dodgers lost 6-5 in Miami to fall 10 games below .500 and 8 1/2 game back of the Diamondbacks in the National League West. So why would there be a need for a...

NL West looms as toughest division in majors

NL West looms as toughest division in majors
The National League West arguably is the toughest division in baseball. Last year, three teams made the postseason with the Dodgers losing to the Astros in the World Series. Now, can the Dodgers win another title by fighting off a World Series hangover after losing Game 7 to Houston in November? Do they have enough pitching to have a second consecutive triple-digit win season? And will Clayton Kershaw stay away from back injuries? The Rockies are trying to prove they're here to stay after 87...

Previewing the NL West, which looks like a two-team race

Previewing the NL West, which looks like a two-team race
Who wins the National League West, the San Francisco Giants or the Los Angeles Dodgers? Take your pick. The Giants fixed their bullpen with former Nationals closer Mark Melancon, and with Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto, have two of the four starters that finished with an ERA lower than 3.00 with at least 200 innings last season. The others are Tanner Roark and Max Scherzer of the Nationals. The Dodgers have a healthy Clayton Kershaw - he missed two months of last season with a back injury -...

Did the Rockies improve their bullpen enough to compete in NL West?

Did the Rockies improve their bullpen enough to compete in NL West?
The Los Angeles Dodgers will take aim at their fifth consecutive National League West championship, but their biggest rival, the San Francisco Giants, will have something to say about that, especially since they've fixed their leaky bullpen with former Nationals closer Mark Melancon. The surprise team in the division could be the Colorado Rockies. They've beefed up their bullpen and think their rotation is strong enough to allow them to play meaningful games in September. Here's a look at...