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MLB: An updated prediction of the 2017 playoff picture

By Anthony Sosa

May 17, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Jedd Gyorko (3) congratulates center fielder Dexter Fowler (25) after hitting a solo home run off of Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (not pictured) during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Jedd Gyorko (3) congratulates center fielder Dexter Fowler (25) after hitting a solo home run off of Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (not pictured) during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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NL West

Current Standings: 

Colorado Rockies: 30-17

Arizona Diamondbacks: 28-19

Los Angeles Dodgers: 27-19

San Francisco Giants: 20-27

San Diego Padres: 16-31

Before the season started, I didn’t think the NL West would turn into one of the best divisions in baseball. Even with the Giants’ rough start, the emergence of the Rockies and Diamondbacks makes this a strong division.

The Rockies became the NL’s first team to win 30 games. Their high-powered offense continues to slug and their young pitching shows that it’s possible to pitch at Coors Field. The Rockies are the real deal in 2017.

Not far off from the Rockies are the Diamondbacks. After a disappointing 2016, the D-Backs are showing their true capability this season. Zack Greinke‘s dominance returned in 2017 and that’s helping the team big time.

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The Dodgers continue to play good baseball again in 2017. The emergence of rookie sensation Cody Bellinger hit Los Angeles this season. He looks like the next big thing for the Dodgers.

With an abundance of injuries to start the season, none bigger than the loss of Madison Bumgarner, the Giants got off to a putrid start. A recent hot run has them looking more like the Giants of recent years. Even with that, the Giants sit in fourth place in the West.

And then there’s the Padres. Another team in rebuild mode. They have some good young players, but they won’t compete in the NL West for a few more years.

Who wins the division?

The Rockies, Dodgers and Diamondbacks are all teams that can win this division. In fact, I won’t count the Giants out just yet either, but I think they might have dug too deep of a hole to get out of.

With the Rockies’ high-powered offense, I think they win the division. Both the Dodgers and Diamondbacks won’t let that happen without a fight, though.

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