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Seven bold predictions for the National League West in 2018

By Kevin Henry

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies circles the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on September 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies circles the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on September 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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MESA, AZ – MARCH 06: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gets ready in the batters box during the first inning of a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs on March 6, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
MESA, AZ – MARCH 06: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gets ready in the batters box during the first inning of a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs on March 6, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Let’s start with the big one. Which teams will make the postseason in 2018? I believe only the Dodgers will make it out of the National League West and into the NLDS.

So what happens to Colorado and Arizona? I don’t believe either of those teams did enough in the offseason to make an impact while teams like Milwaukee and San Francisco did more to add to their lineups.

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The National League West will be a feeding frenzy this year, with no team able to separate itself from the pack because of the overall wealth of talent in the division. With every team beating every other team and no dominance established, only the division winner (Los Angeles) will be move on.

Looking at Colorado’s roster and the position players on it from last season and comparing to this season, only Chris Iannetta is different. That’s not enough of an impact to make a difference for a team that finished with a 0.0 WAR outside of Nolan Arenado, DJ LeMahieu and Charlie Blackmon last season.

Arizona’s offense will be impacted by the loss of J.D. Martinez. There’s no question about it. There are also some questions about Zack Greinke and his effectiveness (and health) heading into the season.

If I were to predict the National League postseason, I think Milwaukee and St. Louis face off in the Wild Card while Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington win the divisions.

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