Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB roundup: Checking in on Dodgers, Padres, and rest of NL West

By K Michael Sweetman

Mar 31, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman Ryan McMahon (24) throws to first base after forcing out San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) at second base to complete a double play during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman Ryan McMahon (24) throws to first base after forcing out San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) at second base to complete a double play during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Roughly one month into the 2023 MLB season, and it looks as though the National League West has a few of its own surprises.

After a busy offseason that saw the Arizona Diamondbacks completely rebuild their bullpen, and bring in a couple of key position players, they sit at the top of the NL West food chain, at least heading into the games of April 28. With the Los Angeles Dodgers just a game back, and the San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants also within striking distance, this will be a fun race to watch as the summer chugs along.

Corbin Carroll, who plays baseball a lot like I think Sonic the Hedgehog might, has paced the Arizona Diamondbacks offense since Opening Day. Newcomers Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabe Moreno have been every bit as advertised after coming over in a December trade with Toronto and, since being called up on April 8, Pavin Smith has done nothing but smack the snot out baseballs on a regular basis, to the tune of a 1.081 OPS. But, this lineup as a whole is really clicking right now. Heck, anytime you can get a .450 OBP, and 12 RBI out of Geraldo Perdomo in the nine-hole, it would seem like you are living a charmed life.

This team isn’t all stick though and, despite Madison Bumgarner forgetting how to throw a baseball, they still have some really nice pitching to back up that batting order. Zac Gallen is 4-1 on the year and posting some pretty elite strikeout numbers (12.2 K/9) while doing it, youngsters Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson have eight starts between them and have been OK, and relievers Andrew Chafin, Miguel Castro, and Scott McGough were brought in to shore up the back end of a bullpen that was pretty terrible last summer. With the veterans leading the way, and some exciting young players in important roles, expect the Snakes to have some staying power in the NL West.

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