San Francisco Giants – Manager: Bruce Bochy (92-70 in 2010)
The San Francisco Giants won the 2010 World Series behind a very strong rotation, a very good lineup, and a deep bullpen. Look for that same pitching rotation, anchored by starters Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Barry Zito to burst on the scene again in 2011, backed up by Brian Wilson and a fantastic bullpen. Much of the core of the World Series roster returns for another run at the Fall Classic. Young guns will also make a huge impact on this team again. Catcher Buster Posey will again be a very potent offensive threat. Along with a strong infield and talented outfield, look for the Bayside Bombers to once again be a tough squad. This year, however, they’ll have all the baseball world watching them, so whether or not they can handle the expectations placed on defending a World Series title will be an interesting storyline to watch in 2011. If they can find their winning ways like they did in the second half of 2010 and stave off the up-and-coming Rockies, they Giants should have few problems returning to the playoffs. Whether that’s as a division winner or a wild-card team will be more difficult to see.
5 KEY SERIES TO WATCH: April 18-20 @ Colorado Rockies, June 21-23 vs. Minnesota Twins, July 26-28 @ Philadelphia Phillies, August 15-18 @ Atlanta Braves, September 26-28 vs. Colorado Rockies.
PROJECTED 2011 STARTERS: C Buster Posey, 1B Aubrey Huff, 2B Freddy Sanchez, 3B Pablo Sandoval, SS Miguel Tejada, OF Cody Ross, OF Andres Toress, OF Mark DeRosa.
MINOR LEAGUER TO WATCH: 1B Brandon Belt
KEY BENCH PLAYERS: OF Nate Schierholtz, INF Travis Ishikawa, OF Pat Burrell
KEY RELIEF PITCHERS: CP Brian Wilson, RP Jeremy Affeldt, RP Sergio Romo
KEY LOSS: SS Edgar Renteria
KEY ACQUISITION: INF Miguel Tejada
San Diego Padres – Manager: Bud Black (90-72 in 2010)
The 2010 San Diego Padres were an enigma wrapped in a conundrum with a nice little quandary on top. In first place in the NL West for much of the 2010 regular season, a collapse that can only be topped by the 2007 New York Mets plagued the second half of their season. They traded away a key piece of the puzzle in Adrian Gonzalez, who many saw as the face of their franchise. One major question of their season will be who will replace Gonzalez at first. The answer to that may not come until well into Spring Training. Former Padre Trevor Hoffman joins the Friar’s front office, and former Colorado Rockies outfielder/first baseman Brad Hawpe was also added to a rebuilding squad. A solid bullpen should help San Diego win some games, but not enough to compete with the upper echelon of the National League. The Padres should find mediocre success, but could dominate the lower-tier teams in the National League. Look for them to make a strong case for third in the NL West, finishing well above the sinking Dodgers and the Diamondbacks, who will still struggle to find their stride.
5 SERIES TO WATCH: April 8-10 v.s L.A. Dodgers, June 9-12 vs. Washington, June 20-22 @ Boston, August 5-7 @ Pittsburgh, August 29-31 @ L.A. Dodgers
PROJECTED 2011 STARTERS: C Yorvit Torrealba, 1B Brad Hawpe, 2B Orlando Hudson, 3B Chase Headley, SS Jason Bartlett, OF Ryan Ludwick, OF Cameron Maybin, OF Will Venable
MINOR LEAGUER TO WATCH: P Casey Kelly
KEY BENCH PLAYERS: OF Chris Denofria, INF Evereth Cabrera, INF Jorge Cantú
KEY RELIEF PITCHERS: CP Heath Bell, RP Clayton Richard, RP Aaron Harang
KEY LOSS: 1B Adrian Gonzalez
KEY ACQUISITION: OF Brad Hawpe
Colorado Rockies – Manager: Jim Tracy (83-79 in 2010)
The Colorado Rockies in 2010 were the baseball equivalent of Charles Dickens’ classic A Tale of Two Cities. In the case of the Rockies, however, it was a Tale of Two Seasons. The Rockies looked nearly unstoppable in the first half of the season. Offense looked very strong, defense looked lights-out, and their pitching would have made Cy Young himself proud. Ubaldo Jimenez threw the first No-Hitter in Rockies history, and looked to have wrapped up the Cy Young in 2010. Then the All-Star Break hit. Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki broke his wrist and was out for a month, and Jimenez forgot to come back from Anaheim and a brilliant All-Star showing. The Rockies lost 13 of their last 14 games to finish an uncharacteristic 10 games back in the NL West. The health of first baseman Todd Helton will be something the Rockies need to be concerned about, and will have to plan for. After a busy offseason in which the team acquired infielders Ty Wigginton and José Lopez (to replace the traded Clint Barmes, whose defense was outstanding), resigned starting pitcher Jorge de la Rosa, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, the Rockies look poised for a very nice 2011 season. A strong rotation and bullpen should bolster the Rockies playoffs hopes. If they can overcome the inability to hit that plagued them at the end of last year, and if young stars such as Ian Stewart and Chris Iannetta can start hitting like Rockies brass knows they can, watch out for the Rockies in 2011.
5 SERIES TO WATCH: April 18-20 vs. San Francisco, May 27-29 vs. St. Louis, June 24-26 @ New York Yankees, August 1-3 vs. Philadelphia, September 26-28 @ San Francisco
PROJECTED 2011 STARTERS: C Chris Iannetta, 1B Todd Helton, 2B José Lopez, 3B Ian Stewart, SS Troy Tulowitzki, OF Seth Smith, OF Dexter Fowler, OF Carlos Gonzalez
MINOR LEAGUER TO WATCH: C Wilin Rosario, C Jordan Pacheco
KEY BENCH PLAYERS: OF Ryan Spilborghs, INF Ty Wigginton, INF Jonathan Herrera
KEY RELIEF PITCHERS: RP Matt Lindstrom, CP Huston Street, RP Rafael Betancourt
KEY LOSS: C Miguel Olivo
KEY ACQUISTION: INF José Lopez
Los Angeles Dodgers – Manager: Don Mattingly (80-82 in 2010)
The Los Angeles Dodgers will be a team to watch in 2011, and could go one of two ways. They could either surprise a lot of people in the National League, or they could absolutely implode. It’s very hard to tell with this team. Still plagued by the divorce of their owner, Frank McCourt and his wife Jaime, the Dodgers could find themselves in hot water if the team is awarded to Jaime McCourt. With the departure of Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre, the team was left to his right hand man Don Mattingly. The return of pitcher Ted Lilly should once again be the main headline as Lilly looks for a repeat performance of his dominance on the mound. The Dodgers should be competitive in the National League West. Their second half schedule sets up for what could be a nice run, if the talent comes through. They’re still a few years away, but look for a third place finish.
5 SERIES TO WATCH: April 8-10 @ San Diego, April 14-17 vs. St. Louis, June 6-8 @ Philadelphia, July 1-3 @ L.A. Angels, September 23-25 @ San Diego
PROJECTED 2011 STARTERS: C Rod Barajas, 1B James Loney, 2B Juan Uribe, 3B Casey Blake, SS Rafael Furcal, OF Matt Kemp, OF Andre Ethier, OF Tony Gwynn
MINOR LEAGUER TO WATCH: P Ethan Martin, SS Dee Gordon
KEY BENCH PLAYERS: INF Jamey Carroll, OF Xavier Paul, C Dioner Navarro
KEY RELIEF PITCHERS: CP Jonathan Broxton, RP Hong-Chih Kuo, RP Ronald Belisario
KEY LOSS: RP George Sherrill
KEY ACQUISITION: OF Tony Gwynn
Arizona Diamondbacks – Manager: Kirk Gibson (65-97 in 2010)
Yes, that Kirk Gibson. Question is, will he have the Diamondbacks rounding 2nd fist pumping? Probably not. Let’s face it, the Diamondbacks will be nothing short of terrible again in 2011. An 80-loss season is practically a guarantee. A 90-loss season isn’t out of reach. There is one piece of good news. A 100-loss season won’t happen. The Diamondbacks are terrible, yes. But they have made a couple of good moves this offseason. Infielder Melvin Mora and southpaw Zach Duke join the Diamondbacks this year. The D-Backs declined their option on first baseman Adam LaRoche, infielder Augie Ojeda, and outfielder Ryan Church. A complete overhaul of their coaching staff has Alan Trammell, Don Baylor, and Eric Young coming to the team from the Colorado Rockies. Don Baylor might be their best addition this offseason, and he is seen by many as someone who could very easily manage in the big leagues very soon. Perhaps a manager-in-waiting if Kirk Gibson can’t get the job done in Phoenix.
5 SERIES TO WATCH: April 8-10 vs. Cincinnati, April 15-17 vs. San Francisco, April 28-May 1 vs. Chicago Cubs, September 8-11 vs. San Diego, September 26-28 vs. L.A. Dodgers
PROJECTED 2011 STARTERS:
C Miguel Montero,
1B Juan Miranda, 2
B Kelly Johnson, 3
B Melvin Mora,
SS Stephen Drew,
OF Xavier Nady, OF Chris Young, OF Justin Upton
MINOR LEAGUER TO WATCH: P Jerrod Parker
KEY BENCH PLAYERS: OF Gerardo Parra, UTL Willie Bloomquist, INF Tony Abreu
KEY RELIEF PITCHERS:
CP J.J. Putz,
RP Aaron Heilman,
RP Sam Demel
KEY LOSS: 3B Mark Reynolds
KEY ADDITION:
INF Melvin Mora
NL WEST PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Colorado Rockies 93-69
2. San Francisco Giants** 91-71
3. Los Angeles Dodgers 86-76
4. San Diego Padres 85-77
5. Arizona Diamondbacks 64-98
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