Predicting the Division winners for the 2019 MLB Season

NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers

The NL West feels a lot like the NL Central

The NL West feels a lot like the NL Central in the fact that the team that made the biggest splash probably won’t be in contention come to the end of the season and everyone else didn’t make a big move.

The Diamondbacks were in control of the divisor for the majority of the season until a late-season collapse sent them down to 3rd place.

They then lost Patrick Corbin, AJ Pollack, and Paul Goldschmidt in the offseason. It appears that the Diamondbacks are doing what the Mariners are doing, which is tearing down a team that didn’t quite live up to expectations.

The Dodgers, who many thought would sign either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado, didn’t sign either and had a silent offseason. They signed Joe Kelly and AJ Pollack and traded for Russell Martin. Besides the Yasiel Puig trade, that was about all they did.

However, if we have learned anything from the past few years, it is to never doubt the Dodgers. They went from barely making the playoffs to making the World Series for the second year in a row.

The Rockies, who finished in second place, signed sluggers Daniel Murphy and Mark Reynolds, which should make up for losing DJ LeMahieu.

As usual, the Rockies offense is never the issue due to Coors, it is their pitching which they failed to improve on this winter. Losing Adam Ottavino will also hurt their bullpen.

The Padres are the team that had the biggest offseason in the West. They shocked the world and signed Manny Machado to a 10-year deal.

They also signed Ian Kinsler, Adam Warren, and Garrett Richards which are nice adds to the team.

However, the Padres don’t have much pitching and their lineup isn’t really that deep. Their saving grace is that they have the best farm system in the league, so while they may not contend this season their future is really bright.

With all of that being said, with the two closest teams to them not making huge improvements to overtake them, expect the Dodgers to remain the kings of the West once again this season.

Their lineup depth along with their pitching will be enough to hold off the Rockies once again. The Padres could contend for third as the Diamondbacks, Giants, and Padres are not that far apart from each other.