As we make our way into the Senior Circuit, we come across a group of Double-A teams that have banded together to form a division. They really aren’t that bad, but there isn’t a single team in the NL West that holds a mark above .500. The Diamondbacks and Dodgers are atop this scrap heap, both with marks of 48-50; which, if they played in the NL East they would be 5 games back, and 10 games back in the NL Central. The Rockies’ return to stiffville has been much documented, but they fortuitously find themselves at a very manageable 6 games off the lead. The Giants, who are in full out rebuilding mode, are not out of the chase as they stand at 8 games back. The Padres are pulling up the rear at 11.5 games out, and only the desire not to finish in the basement keeps this team from cancelling the remainder of the season.

Arizona burst out of the gate back in April, but have since come back to earth as their youthful offense has sputtered, a bit. Left-fielder, Eric Byrnes, has been injured for much of the season, and will likely miss the remainder of it with hamstring issues. Chris Young is hitting his usual .230, and the power is still there, but he hasn’t been running with the frequency that made him a 30/30 man, last season. The young guns, Stephen Drew, Justin Upton, Conor Jackson, Mark Reynolds, Emilio Estevez, and Kiefer Sutherland, have all posted respectable numbers. Upton (43, 11, 31, .242) and Reynolds (62, 19, 60, .249) both raked for the first month, but immediately remedied that problem by stinking it up in May, only to regain their ability to hit major league pitching in June. Reynolds, as you can see, has put up solid power numbers, but has also struck out an astounding 115 times, already. Look for him to eclipse 200 Ks, and the Diamondbacks to find a way to harness that wind energy to save money on the electric bill. Conor Jackson (55, 9, 48, .307) has turned into a solid hitter, reminiscent of a young Johnny Olerud.

The name of the game in Arizona is pitching, as they have talked two of the game’s best pitchers into wearing their uniform for the year. Brandon Webb has been as solid as they come for the past 4-5 seasons, and is again performing at a high level with a line that includes a 3.11 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 116/36 K/BB ratio, and a 13-4 record. Danny Haren, like Webb, throws a filthy sinkerball, and some might argue he’s pitched better than Webb, thus far. He is currently sporting a 2.58 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP of questionable legality, a 199/24 K/BB ratio, but a pedestrian and unlucky 9-5 record. Micah Owings, as with the rest of the team, played over his head for the first month of the season, but now owns an ERA above 5.00. Randy Johnson has been dominant at points this year, but his inability to stay healthy has, and will continue, to prevent any return to his Cy Young form. Doug Davis has made a courageous and inspirational return from thyroid cancer, and I applaud Arizona for conducting itself like a high class organization in holding his roster spot as he recovered. The guy that lost out on that roster spot is Max Scherzer, who is currently in Triple-A. Remember that name because once he learns to harness his 99 mph heater and develops a legitimate 2nd pitch to compliment it, it’s going to be a comedy show every 5th day in Arizona. Brandon Lyon emerged as the closer after the offseason departure of the always volatile, Jose Valverde. He’s converted 20 of 25 save chances, and while his 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP are nothing short of mediocre, his 28/8 K/BB ratio remains solid.

On paper, the big market Dodgers are stacked, and it’s easy to understand why they would be the preseason favorites to win the division. Once again we are reminded why they play the games, because L.A. has not lived up to such a billing. Injuries have absolutely ravaged their roster, as Andruw Jones, Juan Pierre, Rafael Furcal, Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent, Brad Penny, Hiroki Kuroda, and Takashi Saito have all spent time on the DL. Furcal was hitting .366 before injuring his back, and is likely to miss the remainder of the season. Closer, Takashi Saito, will likely befall the same fate as an elbow injury has kept him out of action. Juan Pierre was looking like the player of old, and had already swiped 35 bases, but a sprained knee ligament will keep him out until roughly mid-August. On a positive note, I think the Dodgers fortunes improved a bit with the injuries to Penny and Jones (not that I want to see anyone get hurt). Penny, who is usually an ace quality pitcher, posted horrendous numbers that include a 5.88 ERA, an unspeakable 1.60 WHIP, and a K/BB ratio of 47/36. Jones, who signed a 2 year $36.2 million contract and has apparently pawned his ability to hit a baseball in exchange for his monster 2006 season, has long been under the Mendoza line (.164 Avg). He has recorded 171 official at-bats, but has ended 61 of those with a K, and has a mere 2 home runs and 11 RBI to show for his efforts.

All things considered, the Dodgers have not played poorly. James Loney (47, 8, 51, .296) continues to develop into a premiere hitter, and I would expect him to compete for a batting title or two down the road. Russell Martin (50, 10, 47, .295) is probably the most athletic catcher in the league. When injuries created a gaping hold at 3b, the Dodgers didn’t call a player up from their farm system, they put Martin there. He also ranks 3rd on the team in steals, as he has swiped 10 bags in 14 chances. Young studs, Andre Ethier (50, 11, 43, .280) and Matt Kemp (50, 10, 53, .285), continue to blossom as injuries have given them the chance to play everyday.

The pitching in L.A. has been hampered by injury and sub-par performance. Derek Lowe has been his usual inconsistent self (3.97 ERA, 7-8 record), and future ace, Chad Billingsley (3.32 ERA, 9-9 record, but a whopping 133 Ks), has experienced his own ups and downs. Chan Ho Park has somehow weaseled his way back into a rotation spot, which had led me to write the F.C.C. asking for a parental lock to be placed on all of his performances, as its best to think of the welfare of the kids in matters such as these. Uber-prospect, Clayton Kershaw, was called up and pitched well, initially; however, his lack of control led the Dodgers to pull the plug on that project. With Saito injured, the usually dominant Jonathan Broxton has taken over the closing duties. Broxton was lit up early in the year, but he still features a 49/16 K/BB ratio, and I expect him to excel in the role.

Colorado has experienced a fall from grace this year, but that shouldn’t be a huge surprise to anyone if we keep in mind that underneath the fancy garb Cinderella was still a pauper. The middle infield has been decimated, with starting shortstop, Troy Tulowitzki, and backup infielder, Clint Barmes, both missing significant time with injuries. Despite missing time, Tulowitzki is still the proud owner of a .166 batting average, so I’m not sure how detrimental to the offense his absence could have been. The void created around the 2nd base bag has given rise to a promising young player, however; Jeff Baker (37, 7, 33, .280), who has taken full advantage of his well deserved chance to play on an everyday basis. Rockies mainstay, Todd Helton, has seen his already diminished power efface even further, and has been sidelined recently with an ailing back. On the positive side, last season’s M.V.P. runner-up, Matt Holliday (55, 16, 55, .332), and third baseman, Garrett Atkins (57, 14, 59, .305), continue to take advantage of Colorado’s accommodating air.

The pitching, as is required by Colorado law, has stunk. Jeff Francis (5.67 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 67/40 K/BB, 3-7 record), last season’s ace, has not looked like the same pitcher that won 17 games in 07’. Franklin Morales (6.39 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, 17/9 K/BB, 1-2 record) and Ubaldo Jimenez (4.20 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 98/63 K/BB, 5-9 record), two of last season’s pleasant surprises, have not met with the same success. Jimenez has turned things around in recent weeks, and I expect him to have a solid 2nd half; but, Morales is mired in Triple-A and likely won’t factor into the Rockies’ plans in 08’. Last season’s stud closer, Manny Corpas (5.03 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 32/17 K/BB, 4 saves), chucked and ducked his way out the closer’s gig, only to regain his dominant form over the last 6 weeks. Former closer, Brian Fuentes (3.32 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 41/11 K/BB, 16 saves), took over the job and has pitched so well that the Rockies can’t stop talking about shipping him out of town.

Life without Barry Bonds has made San Francisco a bit quieter these days, then again, that could the rampant losing, as well. The white flag was hoisted at Pac-Bell during the offseason, effectively making the 08’ season a running open tryout for 09’. The Giants’ offense does not feature a single player with a double digit home run total (J. Bowker and A. Rowand are tied with 9). Big offseason acquisition, Aaron Rowand (42, 9, 51, .289), has played well considering he has no protection in the lineup, nobody on base to drive in, and plays in a much tougher venue to hit for power in. It’s easy to say he hasn’t justified his 5-year $60 million contract, but I don’t think I’m alone when I say I saw it coming (and he probably did, too). Randy Winn (49, 5, 39, .280), also, has met with mediocrity for many of the same reasons. The rest of the offense will likely be charged with the heinous crime of impersonating a ballplayer, and shall remain nameless in an effort to protect the accused and their families.

The pitching has been a different story for the Giants, and I didn’t even blush after typing that. Tim Lincecum (2.79 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 143/51 K/BB, 11-3 record) chucks the bean. Period. His K/BB ratio is simply dominant, and the fact that he’s put together an 11-3 record with a morgue full of stiffs providing run support for him, is nothing short of amazing. Matt Cain (4.08 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 126/58 K/BB, 5-8 record) and Jonathan Sanchez (4.10 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 123/55 K/BB, 8-5 record) have both had their off days, but have helped establish a reputation for power pitching in San Francisco. Barry Zito (5.62 ERA, 1.79 WHIP, 62/60 K/BB, 4-12 record) has been steadily making a case for being one of the worst free agent signings in sports history (7-year, $126 million). This guy won the 02’ AL Cy Young, and his patented 12-6 curveball led to Zito being annually ranked on the Wildlife Channel’s ’10 Deadliest Animals’ segment. How the mighty have fallen. In the bullpen, closer Brian Wilson, has been able to convert 25 of 27 save chances despite an ERA right under 5.00. See, miracles do happen.

Oh, Tony Gwynn, where hath thou gone? The Padres offense, for the most part, is not a thing to be feared by opposing pitchers. I know the fact that they play in an ocean sized ball park doesn’t help much, but only Arizona and the lowly Nationals have a lower team average (.249). Despite that fact, Adrian Gonzalez (57, 22, 74, .279) continues to develop into a premiere slugger. Just imagine if he played in Texas or Philly; he’d have 35 jacks by now. Stud prospect, Chase Headley (10, 6, 14, .269), was finally called up and has provided a spark in the lineup. Khalil Greene (28, 9, 33, .214), despite his horrendous numbers, remains one of the slickest fielding shortstops out, as well as a personal favorite of mine.

The Padre pitching has seen better days, as inconsistency has marred what was thought to be a solid staff. Jake Peavy (2.66 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 100/27 K/BB, 7-6 record) spent some time on the DL with an elbow strain, and remains one of the top 2 or 3 pitchers in the game. #2, Chris Young (4.50 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 51/33 K/BB, 4-4 record), has been sidelined with a fractured skull since taking an Albert Pujols missle off the grill. He luckily sustained no serious injury, and he remains on schedule to return in August. The Professor, Greg Maddux (4.21 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 63/25 K/BB, 3-8 record), continues to defy Father Time and educate us all on the art of pitching every 5th day. Hall of Fame bound, Trevor Hoffman (4.91 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 35/6 K/BB, 18 saves), has successfully converted 18 or 21 save attempts, and as you can see, also sports a phenomenal 35/6 K/BB ratio.

I might as well draw names out of a hat, or throw darts at a board to pick this division. It might very well come down to which team is able to make a deal before the deadline, but going on each team’s current roster, Arizona is my winner. Their offense is young and inconsistent, but their pitching is top notch, and I would expect that to carry them to the finish line. L.A. has a pretty strong lineup, and a few key guys returning from injury, but I think the injury bug has been much too busy for the Dodgers to outlast Arizona (without a deal, that is). The Rockies are truly not as bad as they’ve played, and with a few guys coming back from injury they should be expected to make a run. Ultimately, the pitching is simply not strong enough, and I don’t see guys like Francis suddenly returning to form. The Giants and Padres don’t have a shot. The Giants have got to be surprised to be as close as they are, and the Padres, despite a potentially strong pitching staff, are simply too far back at this point. I expect to see the final standings look like this: Arizona, L.A., Colorado, San Diego, San Francisco.