For the rest of the week, four of our staff writers will go division by division to make our playoff predictions, while looking at a major storyline for each team.
Our four-man panel includes —
Travis Berardi — Pirates beat writer
Gar Bercury — Co-Pitt beat writer
Michael Waterloo — Co-Owner/Columnist
Matt Welch — D-2 coverage/The Times West Virginian.
Yesterday, we took a look at the National League Central. Today, it’s the NL West.
Los Angeles Dodgers —
“ Is Yasiel Puig going to have a Yoenis Cespedes-type sophomore year, or will he prove to be for real? ”
Berardi – Puig’s numbers dropped during the final weeks of the season, but that still didn’t drop his avg. below .300. He won’t have a breakout year like last season, but his avg. should stay in the low .300’s.
Bercury – The biggest issue with Puig has nothing to do with his phenomenal ability, its about his maturity. Nobody will question this kid has all the tools to be an MVP, but his behavior and nonchalant approach could be a major issue. Manager Don Mattingly has already butted heads with Puig numerous times, and with numerous options for the Dodgers in the outfield, don’t be surprised if Puig does not shape up, that he could be on the bench, or even traded. I see more hit and miss for Puig in 2014 unless he grows up.
Waterloo – Well, Puig is immature and each time he swings and misses, is he going to be “hurt?” Despite the beef with Mattingly, being productive usually takes care of off-the-field issues. That being said, a sophomore slump is coming Puig’s way. Or, should we say, a lot of “injuries.”
Welch – He will fall into the bright lights of LA.
San Francisco Giants —
“ Can the Giants have a bounce-back year from Matt Cain? ”
Berardi – It’s not can they, it’s they need it from Cain if they want to contend for a playoff spot.
Bercury – Yes, absolutely. Cain was not himself last season, but neither were the Giants as a whole. Like any pitcher, at some point, you need help from your lineup, something that was few and far between for Cain last season. However, Cain is simply too good of a pitching talent not to bounce back from his incredibly difficult eight-win campaign in 2013. I expect him to win upwards of 15 games.
Waterloo – Do me a favor, if you will. Go on a nice website called baseballreference.com, and check Cain’s first-half numbers compared to his second-half numbers. He’ll be back to being in the category of “ace” this year.
Welch – Cain is due. He needs to get fans minds off of how bad Lincecum has pitched.
Arizona Diamondbacks –
“What kind of numbers do you expect Mark Trumbo to have in Arizona? ”
Berardi – The dimensions of Chase Field are not too different from Angels Stadium, so the home run total should stay around the same if he can get used to NL pitching.
Bercury – Don’t really understand the fit for Trumbo in AZ. He’s not an outfielder, he’s a first baseman, and with Paul Goldschmit entrenched at first, that could be an issue. That being said, Trumbo has serious power, and with he and Goldschmit working in concert, theres no reason not to believe a 30-plus HR, 100 RBI season lies ahead. Just don’t expect gold glove defense in the outfield.
Waterloo – Trumbo goes from a pitcher’s park, to a hitter’s park. His average will be around .240, but the 35 homers and 95 RBI will look quite nice in the lineup, regardless of the defense.
Welch – .275 32 HR 110 RBI
Colorado Rockies –
“If Cargo and Tulo stay healthy, what type of season can the Rockies have? ”
Berardi – The Rockies stuck around 10 games out of a playoff spot into mid-August before bowing out. They have the ability to make some noise this season if health is on their side.
Bercury – A really productive one offensively, but in terms of wins? Not so much. The Rockies history can’t be told without starting with the inability to consistently pitch well enough to win. This season will be the same. Sure, they have players who can rake at a very high level, and thrive in the thin air of Denver, but that does not mean much more than 80 wins, give or take a few.
Waterloo – They can have a great season, but can they stay healthy? I need to see it first. Even if they are, can Michael Cuddyer repeat last season? In a word, no. Also, they need pitching, which they don’t have right now. Maybe prospect Eddie Butler can be the team’s first ace since Ubaldo Jimenez.
Welch – They can contend but without pitching, it won’t matter.
San Diego Padres –
“Which San Diego Padre could become a household name this year?”
Berardi – Jedd Gyorko – The former West Virginia Mountaineer hit 26 homers last season and finished 6th in the ROY voting. Andrew Cashner – Cashner did well as a spot-starter, turned rotation guy as he posted a 10-9 record and a 3.09 ERA.
Bercury – Morgantown’s own Jedd Gyorko hit 23 homers last season, and he has that Matt Stairs appeal that could make him fun to follow this year. Its not easy to hit at Petco, but Gyorko could still hit 30 homers if things break right.
Waterloo – Well, since two of my colleagues are WVU fans, I shouldn’t be surprised they picked Gyorko. And since Gar picked him as well, let’s go in a different direction. I’m going to go with Will Venable. Did you know he hit 22 homers last year, while hitting .268 with half of his games being played at Petco Park? While Gyorko gets the hype, Venable will be the name that fans know by the end of the season.
Welch – Jedd Gyorko. Had he not missed a good chunk with injury, he would’ve easily been high in ROTY talks. Power hitter who ‘s smart in the field.
Playoff Teams –
Berardi – “Braves. The Cardinals are just too deep for anyone else to have a chance. They take the Central by six games. Pirates as Wild Card. Dodgers repeat by 10 games. Giants grab the final Wild Card spot.”
Bercury – “Nationals. The Cardinals are the class of the division. Pirates as Wild Card. This is the Dodgers division to lose. The roster is loaded with talent, thanks to an endless payroll. Diamondbacks Wild Card.”
Waterloo – “It’s the Nationals, without a doubt. Not a Fister fan, but the staff and offense is way too good. The Braves will grab a Wild Card spot. I’ll take the Cardinals to win the division. I hate betting on teams that spend the most money, but it’s the Dodgers division to take, as long as Clayton Kershaw is OK.”
Welch – “Braves. Cardinals take the division. Pirates as a Wild Card. Dodgers for the division, Giants for the Wild Card.”
