Colorado Rockies: The Race for the West Heading into June
![May 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Mark Reynolds (12) singles during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Froxpile-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Fmark-reynolds-mlb-colorado-rockies-san-diego-padres-850x560-b3a6508515a6c697891ea71f2b8c6597.jpg)
![Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies outfielder](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Froxpile-com-2Ffiles-2F2015-2F11-2Fcarlos-gonzalez-nolan-arenado-mlb-colorado-rockies-photo-day-590x900-1b68c1da46f7e9fdd354364a75ec1884.jpg)
As the calendar turns toward Memorial Day weekend and the beginning of June, we wanted to take a look at how the National League West stood … and where the Colorado Rockies are fitting into the division.
There’s no question that the Rockies have been one of the National League’s surprise teams so far this season, going 22-24 so far. With Trevor Story exploding onto the scene in April, the Rockies have been in the national spotlight since Opening Day. Will that continue … or will Colorado be dealing with a June swoon as the season progresses and the Dog Days of Summer kick in?
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To help us know where the Rockies might fit in with their National League West counterparts, we learned on our NL West brethren from the FanSided network to give us their hot takes.
It was a simple assignment: Tell us why you think the team you cover will (or won’t) win the NL West. With that in mind, we rank the teams in order of their standings in the division heading into this weekend’s series, including the first-place San Francisco Giants visiting the Rockies for a three-game set.
Next: They Might Be Giants
![May 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Froxpile-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Fjohnny-cueto-mlb-san-francisco-giants-san-diego-padres-850x560-2dbea3d35f5ec39ed61c9731ea5e110f.jpg)
San Francisco Giants. 1. team. 40. <p>The biggest asset the Giants have over the rest of the NL West is their professional approach, both at the plate and in the field. Their “big three” of <a href=. (30-19). Previous: 1st
Next: The View from Chavez Ravine
![May 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) and shortstop Corey Seager (5) defeating the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 8-2. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Froxpile-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Fcorey-seager-joc-pederson-mlb-cincinnati-reds-los-angeles-dodgers-850x560-2a8bfe3b8181ae794a8314a1624fa012.jpg)
team. 71. <div id=. (25-23). Previous: 2nd. Los Angeles Dodgers. 2
They’ll stay in contention because of that depth. Along with being able to withstand most injuries, they have the ability, if they choose, to trade for basically anyone that could become available. They have the money, they have the prospects. It’s just a matter of finding the right deal. I also expect them to win the division because most of the guys that are struggling aren’t the young question marks, but rather the consistent vets (Adrian Gonzalez, Howie Kendrick, Justin Turner). If Joc Pederson/Corey Seager/Trayce Thompson keep crushing the ball and the other guys get their act together, their offense should do a complete 180. — Dodgers Way
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2
Los Angeles Dodgers (25-23)
Last week: 5-5 in last 10 games
Last rank: 2nd
![](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcdn-fansided-com-2Flogos-2Fmlb-2Fdodgers-530b391d026f324f1b91bf696dee0c5a.png)
The Dodgers’ biggest strength has to be their depth. Despite being down four starters for most of the year (Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-jin Ryu, Brett Anderson, Mike Bolsinger), their pitching has stayed afloat. Bolsinger’s back, and Ryu is expected back soon. Their depth in the majors has gotten them through injuries and allowed them to tinker and try to find the best combination. Baseball is a long season, and when guys start missing games and getting hurt, there’s only one team I trust to still put out quality players at any position.
They’ll stay in contention because of that depth. Along with being able to withstand most injuries, they have the ability, if they choose, to trade for basically anyone that could become available. They have the money, they have the prospects. It’s just a matter of finding the right deal. I also expect them to win the division because most of the guys that are struggling aren’t the young question marks, but rather the consistent vets (Adrian Gonzalez, Howie Kendrick, Justin Turner). If Joc Pederson/Corey Seager/Trayce Thompson keep crushing the ball and the other guys get their act together, their offense should do a complete 180. — Dodgers Way
Next: Colorado's View from the Middle of the Standings
![May 26, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Dustin Garneau (13) is congratulated after hitting a two run homer against the Boston Red Sox in the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Froxpile-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Fdustin-garneau-mlb-colorado-rockies-boston-red-sox-850x560-a6707e9f732b4736dbafc64d3e22796b.jpg)
3. team. 108. The Rockies hit the road for a nine-game trip to St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Boston. While it wasn’t a terrible trip, it wasn’t exactly a great trip either. <a href=. (22-24). Previous: 3rd. Colorado Rockies
Next: Trouble Brewing in the Desert
![May 17, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brad Ziegler (29) pitches against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Froxpile-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Fbrad-ziegler-mlb-new-york-yankees-arizona-diamondbacks-850x560-bcc729e0f577dd8a18ffcd155f1c8edb.jpg)
<p>Last week’s sweep against the Pirates left the Diamondbacks nine games behind the division-leading Giants and 7.5 behind Pittsburgh for the second Wild Card. Add in the fact that the Diamondbacks have a <a href=. (21-28). Previous: 4th. Arizona Diamondbacks. 4. team. 8
Next: The Problems with the Padres
![May 22, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Adam Rosales (9) reacts after making the last out of the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Froxpile-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F05-2Fadam-rosales-mlb-los-angeles-dodgers-san-diego-padres-850x560-4c937ba2e2d5c9f0fa75c24e916b7ca0.jpg)
team. 127. <p class=. (19-29). Previous: 5th. San Diego Padres. 5