Predicting the 2022 NL West standings
By David Hill
For years, the NL West was the private playground of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They had won the division from 2013 through 2020, and while the San Diego Padres had improved, the odds were that the Dodgers bring home another divisional title.
So much for those preseason predictions. The Dodgers were challenged for the division, but it ended up being the San Francisco Giants who seemingly came out of nowhere to post the best record in the majors. The Padres, meanwhile, finished a disappointing third, four games under .500.
Predicting the 2022 NL West standings
This year should different. The entire division is in a transitionary stage, whether it involves players leaving or new management. Almost every team in the division believes that they can contend, if not for the NL West crown, then for a Wild Card berth. Hope springs eternal on the west coast.
Who will take home the crown in the NL West in 2022? Let’s take a look ahead and predict how the division will shake out.
5. Arizona Diamondbacks
Although the Arizona Diamondbacks are likely to be one of the worst teams in the majors, they have at least made an attempt to improve.
Their biggest additions came in the bullpen, where Mark Melancon and Ian Kennedy should make a difference in the back of the bullpen. Zack Davies was brought in to help solidify the back of the rotation, adding another solid veteran to the pitching staff. However, their biggest moves involved players that were already on the roster, as Ketel Marte and Merrill Kelly both signed extensions.
One can see what the Diamondbacks are attempting to do. And they are starting to move in the right direction, especially if those one year signings pan out and they can get prospects at the deadline. The problem is that they are still a couple of years away from contending, especially as they need more pieces in the rotation.