Predicting the 2022 NL West standings
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.
4. Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are another team with designs on contending in the NL West. For the first time in years, one can see a path towards respectability starting to develop.
It is not just that the Rockies are starting to lock in their core. Extensions to Antonio Senzatela and Ryan McMahon, as well as their surprise signing of Kris Bryant, are giving the Rockies a direction. However, the signings of players such as Jose Iglesias and Alex Colome, solid veterans that could be moved at the trade deadline, show that the front office is finally starting to recognize the value of having players that could be moved at the deadline.
At the same time, it is possible that the Rockies could surprise. They were over .500 in the second half of the season in 2021. Although Trevor Story is no longer in Colorado, having Bryant in the lineup negates that loss. The Rockies are likely a couple of pieces away, but they no longer appear to be lost in the mountains searching for a direction.
3. San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants were the darling of baseball last year, coming out of nowhere to capture the NL West. However, there are plenty of questions surrounding the team heading into 2022.
The Giants needed to remake their starting rotation heading into this season, something that they were able to accomplish. Anthony DeSclafani is back and Carlos Rodon signed a two year deal to be the Giants’ second starter. Joc Pederson brings a championship pedigree to San Francisco. This is still a solid team.
But it is a team filled with question marks. Rodon had a career year in 2021, and the rest of the rotation after him is not exactly consistent. Joey Bart has yet to show that he can handle major league pitching and is a dramatic downgrade from Buster Posey. They will miss his presence, as well as Kris Bryant’s, in the lineup. A repeat seems highly unlikely.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers should still be a playoff team, but there are more questions about the roster than there have been in recent years.
Freddie Freeman should replace Corey Seager’s production, but that also opens other questions in the lineup. Gavin Lux has to prove that he can hit enough to be a viable part of the lineup. Cody Bellinger still looks lost at the plate and his changing his batting stance daily. On the pitching side, Tony Gonsolin and Andrew Heaney are gigantic question marks that have yet to live up to expectations. Craig Kimbrel was brought in to take over the ninth inning, but he has not been the same lockdown closer he had been in the past.
All of this means that the Dodgers are not the certainty that they had been in the past. They are still a solid team and have the money to patch over mistakes, but there are far more questions here than anyone could have anticipated. Their time atop the division may be at an end for now.
1. San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres were the darlings of the offseason last year and expected to contend for the NL West. Then they fell flat on their faces.
There are still issues with the roster. Fernando Tatis Jr. is going to miss time at the start of the season, as is Mike Clevinger. They do not have a proven closer on the roster. Eric Hosmer is still in San Diego despite their best efforts to move on from him.
And yet, despite those issues, the Padres are the most talented team in the division. The same could have been said last year as well however, and we all know how that turned out. The difference is that they have a strong presence on the bench in Bob Melvin who has a knack of getting the best out of his roster. Bringing Melvin on board could make a major difference and allow the Padres to reach their potential.
Next. Predicting the 2022 NL Central standings. dark
Who do you think will take home the NL West title? Let us know in the comments below!