D-backs did it ugly, but got it done. This year they have sooooo much experience under their caps now and just like every team in the West they're pitching is top notch-they were actually picked to have the best rotation in the West with transactions and a couple rookies coming up, but the games still need to be played! I think they're coaching staff is what sets them apart though.
Cahill is a good pitcher but he isn't a #1 or even a very good #2. He played in a ****** division in a huge stadium. Not just the size of the outfield, but the foul territory is retardedly big. Hes like Johnathan Sanchez but not as good stuff. Hes never had a K/BB ratio over 2.00 WHIP was over 1.4 this year and his first year. Hes a good back of the end rotation kind of guy, and after watching plenty of his starts I don't see the front of the rotation kind of guy they make him out to be. Hes still young though, but I don't ever see him ever being better then a good #3.
Arizona has a good rotation, but I still wouldn't put it against the Giants who have three pitchers who would be the ace for the D-Backs. I'll keep Vogelsong out of it until the first few months to reserve judgement on him. But Kennedy and Hudson are both by far better pitchers then Cahill. Chase field isn't the best place for a comeback for pitchers. He needs to learn to keep the ball down and control it. For Arizona to succeed I Chris Young needs to step up, the dude has to much talent to be a sub 800 OPS player. Arizona still has to much swing and miss, they need more contact players. No, you can't borrow ours we need them.
Colorado confuses the hell out of me sometimes. I never seem to take them seriously because the Giants always play really well at Coors. They are super streaky. The contracts for Gonzalez and Tulo might come back to bite them. Tulo is the best SS in baseball by far, but the dude can't stay healthy. Cuddyer is a nice addition who will benefit being in a better lineup and a great park to hit in but hes also going up against much better pitching. He reminds me a lot of Cody Ross, who never got the playing time early in his career to cement himself as an everyday player. Fowler I think is key for the Rockies to succeed. Oh ****, I forgot the Rockies got Casey Blake.. **** they got the division in wraps...
Both the Padres and the Dodgers have a chance to be good clubs but its going to take some comebacks and breakouts. Billingsly needs to perform for the Dodgers... Period. I don't think they do it without him. The Padres have a good pitching staff still, but the offense has been bad for awhile. But they have some interesting pieces between Quentin (who is a terrible fielder), Alonso, and Guzman. Hundly and Headly need to continue to improve and Blanks needs to finally learn how to make contact because he can hit the ball a long way. Maybin is a potentially good player, but he needs to get on base more. Learn how to cut down on the K's and try not to swing for the fences. If he can get a .350 OBP he steals 60 bags easily. He puts the ball in the air way to often though.
I'm pumped to see my team though. Schierholtz was such a different player last year and hit some monster freakin' homeruns. 2012 is the year he finally pans out.. Its all about Sandoval though. He was on pace to hit 31-32 HRs with two huge power sapping injuries one which took him out for 2 months and he still hit 23 bombs. Belt was also on pace to hit 30, and that was with inconsistent playing time. I was so impressed with his plate discipline though, but he is to patient. He needs to get more aggressive in the kind of way Posey is. Doesn't swing at bad stuff, but goes after close ones with 2 strikes. Reminded me of Fred Lewis who always watched strike 3. Which is why Beltran pissed me off so much, 8th inning down one run, runners on 2nd and third two strikes... Watches one down the middle and doesn't even look like he cares. I was for the trade at the time, god damn was he a POS.
Sandoval, Huff, Posey, Cabrera, Schierholtz, Belt, Pill.. all potential 20+ HR bats.. Sandoval is going to pass 30 this year no doubt.. The rest are big questions but I think at least 2-3 others will do it. Huff is cutting out the beer this year.. And its a even number year..I really do think Huff can hit 30 this year, he hit 26 in 2010 and couldn't hit a HR worth **** in the first 2 months at AT&T. I'm a bit optimistic, but our minor league options are much better this year if we do run into similar injuries as last year. Dammit I'm pumped.
NL West 2012 is going to be fun.
EDIT: I'm bored so I'm going to put together what I think each teams starting lineup in the NL West should look like.
ARIZONA:
Ryan Roberts (3B)
Stephan Drew (SS)(is he going to be ready for 2012?)
Justin Upton (RF)
Miguel Montaro (C)
Chris Young (CF)
Paul Goldschmidt (1B)
Jason Kubel/Gerardo Para (LF) (Depending on Left/Righty match-up)
Aaron Hill (2B)
Pitcher
COLORADO:
Dexter Fowler (CF)
Marco Scutaro (2B)
Carlos Gonzalez (RF)
Troy Tulowitzki (SS)
Todd Helton (1B)
Michael Cuddyer (LF)
Ramon Hernandez (C)
Casey Blake (3B)
Pitcher
LA:
Dee Gordon (SS) (Holy hell does he need to learn to take a walk)
Mark Ellis (2B) (if he can do what he did in 2010 that would be huge for you)
Matt Kemp (CF)
Andre Ethier (RF)
James Loney (1B)
Juan Uribe (3B) (He will be better this year)
AJ Ellis (C)
Jerry Sands (LF)
Pitcher
SD:
Cameron Maybin (CF)
Orlando Hudson (2B)
Chase Headley (3B)
Yonder Alonso (1B)
Carlos Quentin (RF)
Jesus Guzman (LF) (Still pissed the Giants DFA'd him.. same with Matt Downs of the Astros)
Nick Hundly (C)
Jason Bartlett (SS)
Pitcher
SF:
Angel Pagan (CF)
Freddy Sanchez (2B)
Aubrey Huff (1B)
Pablo Sandoval (3B)
Buster Posey (C)
Melky Cabrera (LF)
Nate Schierholtz (RF)
Brandon Crawford (SS)
Huff will play some RF, Belt will play a bunch of 1B and Pill will player some 1B)
We are so deep at 1B is retarded.
. 
One more year of Rowands contract and two more for Zitos... 
