2013 MLB Picks: NL West Division Odds and Predictions – Los Angeles Dodgers the Favorite

2013 MLB NL West Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – Vegas Favorites and Odds to Win 2013 National League West: For the most part, the National League West has been a wide-open division over the years. Four different franchises have each won the division crown twice during the last eight seasons, with the Colorado Rockies being the only team not to get a piece of the action. This year, the NL West also boasts the defending World Series champs as the San Francisco Giants parlayed their second division crown in the last three years to their second World Series title in the same stretch. Throw in a busy offseason by a couple of the other teams hoping to knock off the defending champs, and the NL West could once again be up for grabs in 2013. With that in mind, here is a look at the teams stack up for the upcoming season.

1.      San Francisco Giants: The core players from a team that has won two of the last three World Series return, and while the Giants aren’t loaded with superstars, their accomplishments on the field speak for themselves. Defending NL MVP Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval and Hunter Pence are all back to lead offense, and more importantly, Matt Cain and the rest of San Francisco’s stout rotation are back, as well. In fact, the Giants pitching could be even better in 2013 if Barry Zito and Tim Lincecum can maintain the form they found during the playoffs last year.

2.      Los Angeles Dodgers: On paper, there is no reason the Dodgers can’t win the division and a World Series in 2013. The offense features the like of Matt Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez, Andre Ethier, Hanley Ramirez and Carl Crawford. Meanwhile, former Cy Young winners Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke anchor the rotation. The Dodgers’ front office did everything it could to buy a championship this offseason. However, chemistry can take time to develop, and Kemp, Crawford and Ramirez have all battled injuries in recent years. Los Angeles should certainly be able to secure a playoff spot, but health and other issues could postpone the Dodgers’ climb to the top of the NL West for another year.

3.      Arizona Diamondbacks: It could be a case of addition by subtraction for the Diamondbacks in 2013. Volatile personalities Justin Upton and Trevor Bauer are gone, and while the lineup and rotation may not look as impressive on paper as a result, the chemistry of a team that has overachieved the past two years anyway should improve. Not to mention the fact that the lineup should get a boost with star prospect Adam Eaton leading off and with slugger Paul Goldschmidt entering just his second full season. Meanwhile, the rotation could be one of the more underrated groups in the NL as Ian Kennedy, Brandon McCarthy, Trevor Cahill, Wade Miley and Daniel Hudson have all had solid years in the past. The bullpen is stout, too. Overall, Arizona is probably a little undermanned to compete in the NL West, but they could definitely be a thorn in the side of the frontrunners all year.

4.      Colorado Rockies: Not that it is anything new for the Rockies, but they are going to have to put up a lot of runs if they are going to win games in 2013. Getting star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki certainly help, and he and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez both have MVP potential. Throw in talented young players like Josh Rutledge, Wilson Rosario and Chris Nelson and Dexter Fowler, and Colorado’s offense could indeed be dangerous. Unfortunately, the rotation is even more of a mess than it was last year when it ranked dead last in ERA, which is going to make it next to impossible for the Rockies to compete in the thin air of their home park and in a division loaded with pitching.

5.      San Diego Padres: Despite Chase Headley leading the NL with 115 RBIs last year, the Padres are pretty much the same team that struggled to score runs  throughout 2012. Slugging infield prospect Jedd Gyorko could help the cause, but this offense just won’t scare many opponents even if he is called up. The rotation isn’t exactly fearsome either, and while Edison Volquez has ace-caliber stuff, he doesn’t have much help and has been inconsistent throughout his career anyway. San Diego may have a chance to jump Colorado and avoid the cellar, but the Padres aren’t going to make any more noise than that in the NL West.

2013 MLB NL West Division Odds
5126 Arizona Diamondbacks +650
5127 Colorado Rockies +2200
5128 Los Angeles Dodgers -120
5129 San Diego Padres +1500
5130 San Francisco Giants +175

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