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Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres? Who has best NL West lineup?

By Seth Carlson

Oct 15, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) hits a double in the third inning against the San Diego Padres during game four of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) hits a double in the third inning against the San Diego Padres during game four of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) gestures after hitting a home run in the first inning during game four of the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park.Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) gestures after hitting a home run in the first inning during game four of the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park.Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

2023 San Diego Padres projected lineup and wRC+

  1. Ha-Seong Kim, 2B (102 wRC+)
  2. Juan Soto, RF (164)
  3. Manny Machado, 3B (127)
  4. Xander Bogaerts, SS (123)
  5. Jake Cronenworth, 1B (119)
  6. Nelson Cruz, DH (111)
  7. Matt Carpenter, LF (112)
  8. Austin Nola (106)
  9. Trent Grisham (106)

This projection doesn’t even include Fernando Tatis Jr., who will miss the first 20 games of the 2023 season due to a PED suspension. When he comes back, insert his projected 156 wRC+ into this already loaded bunch, and watch as the Padres likely field the best lineup in all of baseball. It’s no wonder ZiPS has San Diego and Los Angeles tied atop the NL West in 2023.

2023 San Francisco Giants projected lineup and wRC+

  1. Thairo Estrada, 2B (111 wRC+)
  2. Mike Yastremzski, CF (117)
  3. Mitch Haniger, RF (117)
  4. Joc Pederson, DH (119)
  5. Michael Conforto, LF (120)
  6. Wilmer Flores, 3B (116)
  7. Brandon Crawford, SS (104)
  8. LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B (114)
  9. Joey Bart, C (92)

The drop-off in talent between the Giants’ lineup and those of the Dodgers and Padres is noticeable. However, the Giants’ lineup may be somewhat underrated, given that eight out of their nine projected regulars could finish with above-average wRC+. Combined with their rotation upgrades, the Giants could certainly find themselves in the Wild Card conversation in 2023, but to be clear, this is a third-place team.

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