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April 2007
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (2006 Finish: 88-74)
With improved pitching, the Dodgers look like the team to beat in the highly competitive (but not overly skilled) National League West. LA got a proven winner at the top of the rotation when they lured Jason Schmidt away from the Giants. He'll join another newcomer, Randy Wolf, plus holdovers Brad Penny and Derek Lowe in the makings of a solid rotation. Takashi Saito (24-for-26) is dependable in the closer role. The Dodgers led the NL in hitting, spurred by a resurgent Nomar Garciaparra, Rafael Furcal, Jeff Kent and Russell Martin. Juan Pierre and Luis Gonzalez will ease the loss of J.D. Drew. Who's New: Schmidt, Wolf, Pierre, Gonzalez, C Mike Lieberthal. Who's Through: Drew, P Eric Gagne, OF Kenny Lofton, P Greg Maddux, SS Julio Lugo, 3B Bill Mueller, OF Jayson Werth.
By the Numbers:
Home: 49-32, Away: 39-42
Day: 27-22, Night: 61-52
Vs. Left: 19-16, Vs. Right: 69-58
One-Run Games: 20-20
Bets and Pieces: Like a lot of teams, the Dodgers were much better at home in one-run games (13-8) than on the road (7-12) last year.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (2006 FINISH: 76-85)
Barry Bonds isn't the only Barry in town with the Giants shelling out $126 million to fish lefty Barry Zito from across the Bay in Oakland to San Francisco. Zito will be the ace of a staff that has potential to excel with Matt Cain, Noah Lowry and Matt Morris. The Giants still were trying to trade closer Armando Benitez as spring training opened, hoping to give the job to Brain Wilson and his electric fastball. Rich Aurilia and Ray Durham will bookend Bonds, who, at 42, remains one of the most feared hitters in baseball. Who's New: Zito, P Russ Ortiz, C Bengie Molina, IF Aurilia, OF Dave Roberts, 1B Ryan Klesko. Who's Through: P Jason Schmidt, P Jamey Wright, P Mike Stanton, OF Moises Alou, OF Steve Finley, C Mike Matheny, 1B Shea Hillenbrand.
By the Numbers:
Home: 43-38, Away: 33-47
Day: 29-32, Night: 47-53
Vs. Left: 15-22, Vs. Right: 61-63
One-Run Games: 23-22
Bets and Pieces: Despite the presence of the left-hitting Bonds, the Giants have a better win percentage (.481) against lefties than against right-handed pitching (.462) the last two seasons.
SAN DIEGO PADRES (2006 FINISH: 88-74)
Gunning for a third straight NL West title, the Padres will have to do it without many big guns. Adrian Gonzalez (24 HR) and Mike Cameron (22 HR) supply what limited firepower San Diego has. Brian Giles and Marcus Giles are expected to contribute. The rotation, headed by Chris Young and Jake Peavy, still is the strength of this team. Add Greg Maddux to the mix, backed up by baseball's all-time save leader, closer Trevor Hoffman. Who's New: Maddux, 2B Giles, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, P Royce King, OF Jose Cruz Jr. Who's Through: OF Dave Roberts, 1B Ryan Klesko, 2B Josh Barfield, C Mike Piazza, P Woody Williams, P Allan Embree.
By the Numbers:
Home: 43-38, Away: 45-36
Day: 32-22, Night: 56-52
Vs. Left: 17-17, Vs. Right: 71-57
One-Run Games: 30-22
Bets and Pieces: The Padres were the only team in the National League to have a winning record in one-run ball games both at home (16-9) and on the road (14-13) last year.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (2006 FINISH: 76-86)
Much will depend on 43-year-old Randy Johnson, who returns to the desert after a largely unsuccessful two-year stint in New York. If Johnson can somehow find his old form, or something remotely resembling it, the Diamondbacks probably have enough pitching and defense to contend in this weak division. Johnson will find that Brandon Webb (16-8, 3.10 ERA) is the new ace of the staff and that the bullpen is a bit unsettled with Jose Valverde the nominal closer. Orlando Hudson, Conor Jackson, Chad Tracy and Eric Byrnes are the main offensive threats. Who's New: Johnson, P Doug Davis. Who's Through: P Miguel Batista, OF Luis Gonzalez, SS Craig Counsel, C Johnny Estrada, P Luis Vizcaino, P Claudio Vargas.
By the Numbers:
Home: 39-42, Away: 37-44
Day: 19-30, Night: 57-56
Vs. Left: 21-19, Vs. Right: 55-67
One-Run Games: 22-26
Bets and Pieces: The Diamondbacks are just 100-143 (.411) on the road the last three seasons.
COLORADO ROCKIES (2006 FINISH: 76-86)
The Rockies showed improvement last year but didn't make the big trade that might have made them a serious contender for division laurels this season. Aaron Cook and Jeff Francis are solid at the top of the rotation but the loss of Jason Jennings will hurt. If the starters can get through seven innings, freshly minted LaTroy Hawkins and closer Brian Fuentes can hold any lead. The Rockies were third in the NL in batting last year but 13th in pitching, testament to the impact of playing half your games in the thin Colorado air. Willy Taveras, Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins and Todd Helton produce most of the runs. Who's New: Taveras, Hawkins, P Rodrigo Lopez, P Jason Hirsh, P Taylor Buchholz. Who's Through: Jennings, 3B Vinny Castilla, P Ray King, P Jose Mesa, P Miguel Asencio.
By the Numbers:
Home: 44-37, Away: 32-49
Day: 22-21, Night: 54-65
Vs. Left: 17-12, Vs. Right: 59-74
One-Run Games: 19-25
Bets and Pieces: With a record of 89-154 (.366) the Rockies have been the least successful road team in baseball over the past three seasons.
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