NL West preview: A tectonic shift

Padres appear ready for first place, but Dodgers shouldn't be forgotten.

Xander Bogaerts

SAN DIEGO PADRES

2022 Record: 89-73.

NL rank in runs: 8th.

Runs Allowed: 5th.

Manager: Bob Melvin

Rotation: Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, Joe Musgrove, Michael Wacha, Nick Martinez.

Bullpen: Robert Suarez, Drew Pomeranz, Luis Garcia, Steven Wilson, Tim Hill, Nabil Crismatt, Jose Lopez.

Closer: Josh Hader.

Lineup: 1B Jake Cronenworth, 2B Ha-seong Kim, SS Xavier Bogaerts, 3B Manny Machado, LF Juan Soto, CF Trent Grisham, RF Fernando Tatis Jr. (suspended until 4/20), C Austin Nola, DH Matt Carpenter/Nelson Cruz.

DL: RHP Craig Stammen.

Fun Fact: The batting average against Hader in August was .464. After that, it was .114.

Projection: First in N.L. West. When they signed Bogaerts they probably improved themselves at three infield positions.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

2022 record: 111-51.

NL rank in runs: First.

Runs Allowed: First.

Manager: Dave Roberts

Rotation: Julio Urias, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, Noah Syndergaard.

Bullpen: Evan Phillips, Phil Bickford, Caleb Ferguson, Shelby Miller, Alex Vesia, Jimmy Nelson.

Closer: Brusdar Graterol.

Lineup: 1B Freddie Freeman, 2B Miguel Vargas, SS Miguel Rojas, 3B Max Muncy, LF David Peralta/Trayce Thompson/Chris Taylor, CF James Outman, RF Mookie Betts, C Will Smith, DH J.D. Martinez.

DL: RHP Walker Buehler, RHP Blake Treinen,  SS Gavin Lux, RHP Tony Gonsolin.

Fun Fact: No Dodger team that has won 100 or more games has won a World Series.

Projection: Second.  May relish coming out of the weeds in the playoffs.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

2022 Record: 74-88.

NL Rank in Runs: 9th.

Runs Allowed: 5th.

Manager: Torey Lovullo.

Rotation: Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Madison Bumgarner, Zach Davies, Drey Jameson.

Bullpen: Joe Mantiply, Andrew Chafin, Carlos Vargas, Ryan Hendrix, Peter Solomon.

Closer: Kevin Ginkel/Miguel Vargas/Scott McGough.

Lineup: 1B Christian Walker, 2B Ketel Marte, SS Nick Ahmed, 3B Evan Longoria, LF Corbin Carroll, CF Alek Thomas, RF Jake McCarthy, C Gabriel Moreno, DH Lourdres Gurriel.

DL: RHP Mark Melancon, C Carson Kelly.

Fun Fact: Only three N.L. players hit more homers than Walker (36).

Projection: Third. Better, but they need to solve the bullpen. They lost 11 walk-off games in 2022.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

2022 Record: 81-81.

NL Rank In Runs: 7th.

Runs Allowed: 9th.

Manager; Gabe Kapler..

Rotation: Logan Webb, Sean Manaea, Ross Stripling, Alex Wood, Alex Cobb

Bullpen: Taylor Rogers, Tyler Rogers, John Brebbia, Sean Hjelle, Scott Alexander, Jake Junis, 

Closer: Camilo Doval.

Lineup: :1B LaMonte Wade,, 2B Thairo Estrada SS Brandon Crawford, 3B David Villar LF Joc Pederson, CF Mike Yastrzemski RF Mitch Haniger C Joey Bart DH Michael Conforto.

DL: OF Anthony Slater, OF Luis Gonzalez.

Fun Fact: Webb is 26-12 the past two seasons and has given up only 20 home runs.

Projection: Fourth. Euphemism alert: They’re in transition.

COLORADO ROCKIES

2022 Record: 68-94.

NL Rank In Runs: 10th.

Runs Allowed: 15th.

Manager: Bud Black.

Rotation: German Marquez, Kyle Freeland, Jose Urena, Austin Gomber, Ryan Feltner.

Bullpen: Brad Hand, Pierce Johnson, Dinelson Lamet, Justin Lawrence, Brent Suter, Ty Blach.

Closer: Daniel Bard.

Lineup: 1B C.J. Cron, 2B Ryan McMahon, SS Ezequiel Tovar, 3B Elehuris Montero, LF Jurrickson Profar, CF Randall Grichuk, RF Kris Bryant, C Elias Diaz/Brian Serven, DH Charlie Blackmon.

DL: RHP Antonio Senzatela. 

Fun Fact: The lowest ERA of any regular starting pitcher was 4.53, by Freeland.

Projection: Fifth, but rookie shortstop Tovar might provide a thrill or two.