Here, we will be giving our MLB predictions for the 2023 NL West standings at the end of the season. If you want to hear our more in-depth breakdown from two generations of baseball fans, listen to the attached episode of the Playing Catch-Up Podcast below for the opinions of a father-son duo.
Now, let’s get started with the bottom of the barrel.
MLB Predictions for 2023 NL West Standings
5th Place: Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are a team without a goal, unfortunately. One season after the Kris Bryant deal, and it’s more head scratching after an injury-plagued season for Colorado’s one high-paid star. Now, the Rockies are stuck between letting all their homegrown studs walk while weirdly extending and signing some. The result is a team with some talent, but no consistency. Bard is the most underrated closer in the game, CJ Cron is a verified slugger, and some young studs in the infield could be promising, especially if Bryant gets healthy, But until it becomes clear the Rockies are committed to signing players to long deals and sustained success, they’ll finish last in this very deep division.
4th Place: Arizona Diamondbacks
The youth of the Arizona Diamondbacks has some fans dreaming of greener pastures, and it’s not hard to understand why. Zac Gallen should be receiving Cy Young votes by the end of the year, Ketel Marte and Alex Thomas are young outfielders with immediate upside, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is looking to justify his high expectations on a new team. Add in Christian Walker, perhaps the most overlooked all-star in baseball, Merril Kelly’s consistent arm and the wise expertise of Evan Longoria, and you could talk yourself into believing in the snakes. The D-backs are young, but also unproven. In a division with some serious prestige, they need to earn it, especially when lacking depth in so many spots. The future could be bright in the desert, but it’s not an immediate one.
3rd Place: San Francisco Giants
The Giants were jilted at the altar twice this offseason. No Aaron Judge and no Carlos Correa seem to have doomed many’s hopes for San-Fran. Top that with the disappointing slide from over 100 wins two years ago, and no Carlos Rodon, and the Giants might seem too old and too shallow especially on the hitting side to make a run. I do see a bright spot for them, however. Simply, they underachieved too greatly last year. Logan Webb is one of the best arms in the league, Lamonte Wade Jr. is not a flash in the pan, and they have a great batch of young arms as well. The Dodgers and Padres could be the two big-wigs this season out west, but it would be foolish to count out the Giants. I would be shocked to see them out of the playoff race again this year, and third place in this division is no joke.
2nd Place: Los Angeles Dodgers
Call it an overreaction or riding the hot hand, but I think the Padres may have finally caught their white whale. They already passed them in postseason success last year, and the departure of Trea and Justin Turner have me concerned that the Dodgers have given up the crown. With that being said, I’m sure if any team can prove me wrong, it’s still the Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw is old and Urias’s numbers spell an impending blow-up? Who cares. Gonsolin and May are unproven? Prove it. The Dodgers still have Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, a host of young studs, and a pedigree nearly unmatched in producing stars. The point is, I’m not doubting the Dodgers’ caliber. Death, taxes, and LA in the playoffs. I’m just saying they aren’t the team to beat this year.
1st Place: San Diego Padres
Money talks, and for the Padres that money says Xander Bogaerts, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Hader and the list goes on and on. Not a perfect team, no, but due to a ringworm epidemic, somehow they’re supposed to be even better this year, adding Tatis to the fold alongside the new shortstop in Bogaerts. I’m not sold on their starting rotation, but it’s good enough to be above average at least, and that’s enough. The bullpen could be top of the league with Hader at the helm. And most importantly, they have an x-factor. More moves are coming. We don’t know who, but the Soto deal taught us they’ll do whatever they need to in order to win the whole dang thing. With about five MVP-type players on the team, this is an all-star squad and my easy on-paper MLB prediction for the NL West.
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