Major League Baseball Predictions For 2016
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
Last but not least, we turn to the National League West. No one was as busy as the Giants and Diamondbacks this offseason. The Diamondbacks came out of nowhere and scooped up Zack Greinke and gave the Braves literally a baseball mortgage to land Shelby Miller who won six games in 2015. The Giants, however, went out and spent over $200 million between a pair of pitchers of their own in Johnny Cueto, and Jeff Samardzija.
To compete with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, the Giants knew they had to reload their depleted rotation. Span was also brought in this offseason to take over centerfield duties from Angel Pagan, who has now been moved to left field.
As for the Dodgers, their offseason was full of departures, disappointment, and injury. Baseball’s highest payroll could not lure a big time pitcher and lost Brett Anderson to injury. Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda were the flashy signings they made this offseason. And in trades, they received Frankie Montas and Trayce Thompson.
The Dodgers also brought in Dave Roberts to try and help clean up that clubhouse.
The Dodgers, despite their poor offseason, are still not approaching a decline thanks to the presence of Clayton Kershaw. Each start is almost a guaranteed seven innings of facing a growing legend.
The Padres mass reload last season failed and AJ Preller did what he could to refine it. The Padres and Rockies will likely look in from the outside as the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Giants will duke it out for a spot in the playoffs. And being an even year, don’t count the Giants out from competing.
The NL West should be a fun battle to watch in 2016.
Prediction –
- Giants 89-73
- Dodgers 86-76
- Diamondbacks 84-78
- Padres 74-88
- Rockies 70-92
Next: Playoffs