2022 National League West Preview

After a roller coaster lockout in the off-season filled with glimmers of hope and absolute despair, we made it. Baseball is happening on April 7! In preparation for opening day, we’re going to take you through a preview of every division in the MLB, who the manager is, pitching rotations, notable acquisitions, etc. So without further ado let’s take a look at the National League West!

National League West Division

I don’t think anyone envies teams that have to play in this division. Last year it may have been the Giants at the top, the Dodgers nabbing a Wild Card Spot, and then everyone else. That wasn’t how it was supposed to be, though, and this division could shake it in many different ways THIS season.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Last Year’s Results

• 52-110 (.321)

2022 Payroll

• $75,993,333 (23rd in the league)

2022 Manager

• Torey Lovullo

2022 Projected Lineup

1. Daulton Varsho
2. Ketel Marte
3. David Peralta
4. Christian Walker
5. Pavin Smith
6. Carson Kelly
7. Seth Beer
8. Drew Ellis
9. Geraldo Perdomo

2022 Projected Rotation

1. Madison Bumgarner
2. Merril Kelly
3. Zach Davies
4. Caleb Smith
5. Zac Gallen

There’s something to be said for hitting rock bottom, except the Diamondbacks can’t even claim rock bottom because they tied with Baltimore for it. Luckily, they can’t possibly be worse than they were last season.

Key losses were Kole Calhoun and Tyler Clippard. They did, however, make quite a few additions in Sergio Alcantara, Zach Davies, Ian Kennedy, Jordan Luplow, Mark Melancon, Oliver Perez, and Dan Straily. 

Unfortunately, those additions don’t really move the needle. This was a bad team last year that didn’t do much to improve itself offensively. The pitching rotation is about as bad, having a 5.15 ERA last season. The one glimmer of hope is the possibility of Davies pitching as he did 2 years ago.

Caesars has the Diamondbacks at +15,000 to sit atop the National League West, so…..yeah.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Last Year’s Results

• 106-56
• NL Wild Card Spot

2022 Payroll

• $277,834,833 (1st in the league)

2022 Manager

• Dave Roberts

2022 Projected Lineup

1. Mookie Betts
2. Freddie Freeman
3. Trea Turner
4. Max Muncy
5. Justin Turner
6. Will Smith
7. Chris Taylor
8. Cody Bellinger
9. Gavin Lux

2022 Projected Rotation

1. Walker Buehler
2. Clayton Kershaw
3. Julio Urias
4. Tony Gonsolin
5. Andrew Heaney
6. Jimmy Nelson

It’s hard to upgrade when you already have a stacked roster, but it can be argued the Dodgers did just that. They may have lost Max Scherzer, Corey Seager, and Steven Souza but they brought in Craig Kimbrel, Kevin Pillar, Freddie Freeman, and Andrew Heaney to name a few.

On the offensive side of things, most teams would be reeling from losing someone like Seager but the dodgers just stole a world series champions’ star from under their nose and signed him to a 6 year deal in Freeman. Simply put, this lineup is terrifying.

It’s never great to lose Max Scherzer, but the Dodgers kept Kershaw and made plenty of pitching additions. In short, the Dodgers will be fine. 

Caesars has the Dodgers at -225 to sit atop the NL West and that may be a bit too confident for my taste. Are they the prohibitive favorites? Yes. Are there others who can beat them out? Also yes. 

San Francisco Giants

Last Year’s Results

• 107-55 (.660)
• First in the National League West

2022 Payroll

• $142,292,500 (13th in the league)

2022 Manager

• Gabe Kapler

2022 Projected Lineup

1. Mike Yastrzemski
2. Brandon Belt
3. Brandon Crawford
4. Darin Ruf
5. Joc Pederson
6. Wilmer Flores
7. Thairo Estrada
8. Steven Duggar
9. Joey Bart

2022 Projected Rotation

1. Logan Webb
2. Carlos Rodon
3. Anthony DeSclafani
4. Alex Wood
5. Alex Cobb
6. Matt Boyd

The darlings of the NL West last year, the Giants really took no prisoners. They narrowly beat out the Dodgers by 1 game for the top spot, but the next closest was the Padres at 28 games behind.

The Giants lost Kris Bryant, Johnny Cueto, Alex Dickerson, Kevin Gausman, Scott Kazmir, Buster Posey, Jose Quintana, Donovan Solano, and Tony Watson. They added Matt Boyd, Alex Cobb, Jakob Junis, Carlos Martinez, Joc Pederson, and Carlos Rodon.

It’s not easy to replace Buster Posey at catcher and even worse when coupled with replacing Bryant. Basically, this lineup leaves a lot to be desired.

On the pitching side, it doesn’t look much brighter. Losing Gausman was a major blow to this staff and it now relies on pitchers with a history of injuries to miraculously not be injury-prone anymore. 

Caesars has the Giants at +550 to win the National League West. This feels generous and more so a testament to the bottom of the division than it does to the Giant’s ability to win the West. 

San Diego Padres

Last Year’s Results

• 79-83 (.488)

2022 Payroll

• $208,022,618 (5th in the league)

2022 Manager

• Bob Melvin

2022 Projected Lineup

1. Trent Grisham
2. Manny Machado
3. Jake Cronenworth
4. Luke Voit
5. Eric Hosmer
6. Wil Myers
7. Austin Nola
8. Jurickson Profar
9. Ha-seong Kim

2022 Projected Rotation

• Yu Darvish
• Joe Musgrove
• Sean Manaea
• Nick Martinez
• Blake Snell

Let’s be clear, the fifth-highest payroll in baseball was not built to finish under .500. That is exactly what happened last year, though.

The Padres lost Jake Arrieta, Daniel Hudson, Mark Melancon, Tommy Pham, and Matt Strahm. They gained Jorge Alfaro, Matt Beaty, Luis Garcia, Sean Manaea, Nick Martinez, Nomar Mazara, Robert Suarez, and  Luke Voit.

Currently, Fernando Tatis Jr. sits on the shelf injured. Luckily, the Padres signed Luke Voit at DH to at least make up for some of the batting lost in Tatis’s absence. The pitching staff, by all metrics, SHOULD be formidable. Unfortunately, that was not the case last season as they finished with a 4.54 ERA. A strong season from Snell, a return to health from Clevinger, and quality innings from Martinez could set this club back on track.

Caesars has the Padres at +340 to be the best in the West. As stated above, it is a true gamble, but this team is definitely better than a sub .500 finish.  

Colorado Rockies 

Last Year’s Results

• 74-87

2022 Payroll

• $129,452,166 (16th in the league)

2022 Manager

• Bud Black

2022 Projected Lineup

1. Charlie Blackmon
2. Kris Bryant
3. Ryan McMahon
4. C.J. Cron
5. Brendan Rogers
6. Randal Grichuk
7. Jose Iglesias
8. Sam Hilliard
9. Elias Diaz

2022 Projected Rotation

1. Kyle Freeland
2. German Marquez
3. Antonio Senzatela
4. Austin Gomber
5. Chad Kuhl

Usually, when you lose a franchise face like Trevor Story you don’t immediately get someone better to replace them immediately. The Rockies don’t care about what usually happens, though.

They lost Ian Desmond, Jon Gray, Chris Owings, Trevor Story, and Raimel Tapia. They gained Kris Bryant, Alex Colome, Jose Iglesias, Chad Kuhl, and Randal Grichuk.

In the lineup, Iglesias provides a defensive upgrade over Story and is a serviceable bat. Bryant is obviously an offensive juggernaut and Grichuk has been known to hit for power.

The pitching rotation is where things go south for the Mile High Baseball Team. They did not retain Jon Gray and did nothing to move the needle on their pitching staff.

Caesars has the Rockies at +7500 to win the National League West. Barring an unprecedented performance from their pitching staff, it fits.