National League West Preview 2020

This NL West Preview 2020 page offers a thumbnail sketch of each team in the division. Our NL West Preview 2020 also links you to our complete preview of each ball club. Our in-depth team previews consider each club’s rotation, bullpen, and lineup, as well as recent history and offseason signings and trades. In the West, we like the Los Angeles Dodgers. We think they still have a very strong group of pitchers and hitters. If they can stay healthy, the Colorado Rockies will be competitive. The Arizona Diamondbacks bring a young group of arms to the mound. They’ll need time to season. We find that the San Diego Padres have some promise, but doubt they’ll be able to overtake either the Dodgers or the Rockies. Finally, the San Francisco Giants need to rebuild in a major way.

NL West Preview 2020 – Teams

Use our quick six-point assessment of each team, each of which is below, to get a general idea of each club’s strengths and weaknesses. Then utilize our team previews to get the information that you need to be a smart MLB bettor. To link to individual team pages, simply click on the appropriate team name, and you’ll instantly have the information, analysis, and insights you require for the 2020 MLB season. We encourage you to read each and every page of our NL West Preview 2020.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Arizona Diamondbacks

Strengths

• Young starting rotation
• Starling Marte comes to D-backs
• Manager Torey Lovullo is solid

Weaknesses

• Closer looks to be a revolving door again
• Can Jake Lamb stay healthy and hit 30-plus homers?
• FA Madison Bumgarner has not had a winning season in three years

Colorado Rockies

Strengths

• There’s a sound core here
• Starter John Gray offers consistency
• Friendly ballpark for offense

Weaknesses

• Can the rotation stay healthy this year?
• Will a disappointing 2019 linger in 2020?
• Bullpen can go either way

Los Angeles Dodgers

Strengths

• Lefty Kershaw and righty Buehler, one-two punch
• Seager, Bellinger, and Turner both fine hitters
• Rookie 2B Gavin Lux could be the real thing

Weaknesses

• Closer Kenley Johnson losing his edge
• LF AJ Pollock often injured
• Can’t seem to close the deal on the World Series

San Diego Padres

Strengths

• Young ace Chris Paddack offers good stuff
• Machado and Tatis bring power to the plate
• Yates is an elite closer

Weaknesses

• Lots of promise but can they deliver?
• Did little to improve for 2020
• Have not had a winning season in a decade

San Francisco Giants

Strengths

• GM Farhan Zaidi looking towards the future
• In 2019, RF Mike Yastrzemski had a breakout season
• Manager Gabe Kapler brings new vision

Weaknesses

• Aging team
• No true closer
• The future is a few years away

Our NL West Preview 2020 Projections

For our money, and according to our NL West Preview 2020, this division is the Dodgers to lose. We do not expect them to have much competition from the other four teams. Perhaps Colorado will take a run at first place, but we doubt that they have enough to hold onto it. The same can be said for the Diamondbacks.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Colorado Rockies
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. San Diego Padres
5. San Francisco Giants