MLB Standings 2014:Los Angeles Dodgers,San Francisco Giants Fighting for NL West
The Major League Baseball season is heating up. Divisional races and wild card opportunities are tightening up with just 30 games to play in the regular season. A lot of eyes are on the National League West.
The two most notable teams in the NL West are the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers. This heated rivalry goes back to before 1958, when both clubs played in New York City. New York baseball fans still don't forgive Walter O'Malley for moving the teams out West. This year, it comes to no surprise that both the Dodgers and Giants are atop the division.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers currently lead the NL West at 70-56. Pitcher Clayton Kershaw has been the best in the majors this season, and there's a very good chance he will get the National League Cy Young Award. The Dodgers pitching staff ranks No. 5 overall in the league. Offensively, Adrian Gonzalez leads the team with 17 home runs and 83 runs batted in. Yasiel Puig is having his usual eventful season with diving catches and timely hits. He's batting a team leading .313 at the plate this season.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants may not be in the lead, but they have the most playoff experience in the division. The Giants have won two of the last four World Series and are currently 65-58. You can never count this team out. World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval isn't having a great season, but he does have 55 RBI's so far. The Giants rank No. 7 overall in team pitching with a 3.40 team ERA. Tim Lincecum will be the Giants 'go to guy' in the postseason.
It's a good thing it's almost NFL season because the bottom three teams listed don't have a good chance of making the postseason, while the NFL teams that play in their cities are all considerably better.
San Diego Padres
The Padres haven't made the playoffs since 2006. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that drought is going to end, as the Padres presently sit at 58-65. Seth Smith has been the only bright spot at the plate with 101 hits. The Padres offense ranks dead last in the majors in total runs scored. Not a good recipe for winning. Pitcher Ian Kennedy is having a descent season, but with no run support, wins are scarce.
Arizona Diamondbacks
At 53-71, the Diamondbacks should start looking at the draft, future trades and offseason free agency. Although the Diamondbacks have four hitters with more than 100 hits, their offense still ranks 20th in the league. The Diamondbacks haven't had a winning record since 2011. Not one pitcher on the Diamondbacks roster even has nine victories. The Diamondbacks have been doing a terrible job of defending home-field advantage, as they are 25-39 at home at Chase Field.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have the worst record in the NL West at 49-75. Missing the postseason for a fifth consecutive season looks to just be a matter of time. The injury to Troy Tulowitzki doesn't help things either. Mexican pitcher Jorge De La Rosa has been playing average this season, but outside of him the Rockies pitching staff has been awful. The Rockies rank last in pitching this year with a 4.98 team ERA. Unfortunately, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning can't pitch for the Rockies.
Feel free to vote in our poll below and tell us who you think is going to win the National League West.