Most experts will admit come crunch time good pitching will shut down the game's finest sluggers. Ask the Giants, but just don't ask them to do it twice. The Padres have the arms and no bats and Arizona and Colorado have a future but not a prayer for 2011. Now that Torre is gone the Dodgers should have enough to at least contend.
L.A. Dodgers - Signing Clayton Kershaw to a contract worth only 500 grand should have resulted in the crucifixion of his agent. He heads a decent rotation that includes a battle between Padilla and Rauch, both veterans with good career numbers, for the number five slot.
Grabbing Guerrier from the Twins helps a suspect bullpen unless Broxton returns to his dominant form.
Three all stars in Ethier,Loney and Kemp make up for a pedestrian group of well-travelled vets. Good riddance to Manny Ramirez, but losing Martin will hurt behind the plate because Barajas and Navarro can't hit .300 between them.
San Francisco Giants - They have too much pitching to not make it close at the top of the division.
Sandoval weighs more than my Accord, Huff played over his head and Tejada is nothing without steroids. It's like me without cider.
Buster Posey is the new Johnny Bench, but will hit 35 solo homers.
The only thing Giants' fans will have to cheer about is watching Barry Bonds in ankle bracelets serving coffee in Alcatraz.
Colorado Rockies - Gonzalez might turn in a 40 home run, 40 stolen bases stud someday. I have been ranting about centre fielder Fowler for two years. He could become the next Willie Mays if his power numbers grow into his 64? frame. Toss in a game changer like Troy Tulowitski and the offence is covered - especially with Stewart's power potential at third. Helton is as old as my ex-gal's hairstyle.
Two good starters and an unproven pen means the Rockies will need to score runs and plenty of them.
Houston Street is one of the most overrated closers in the MLB. Sports psychologists can't help a guy with minor league talent.
Expect a lot of 12-9 games, something that is common to that ballpark anyway.
Arizona D-backs - A talented outfield, as long as Nady stays fit. Upton and Young need to produce more than once a week.
Kelly Johnson can hit and steal a base, but ex-Yankee Juan Miranda may hit 30 dingers, but will strike out more than Trent Cey in a Mexican nightclub. Mora never became the Mora all thought he would and now he's old.
Pitching is as scarce as baby back ribs in my freezer. Joe Saunders is the ace meaning things look grim. Closer JJ Putz is coming off arm woes so expect the worst.
San Diego Padres - Could very well contend with their unreal staff, but I don't see a repeat performance. Losing Adrian Gonzalez kills their offence. Brad Hawpe will put up half of his numbers and they have young potential in outfielder Cameron Maybin and third sacker Chase Headley is a good ballplayer. Orlando Hudson is aging faster than my morning coffee.
The catching is below average, but the bullpen is as great as the weather.
If their stellar pitching holds up, they may move up a slot or two.
Colorado might be the sleeper here, but don't expect another World Series in the Bay area.
The regular season is only two weeks away - yee-haw.
