How did the NL West go from unrelenting shitshow to best division in the National League? To give you an idea of how radical this is, the Dodgers finished 8th in the league standings in 2008 and they won the division! This sort of year-to-year phenomenon is rare in a sport like baseball. But here we are – heading into the stretch run with 3 NL West teams battling for 2 playoff spots.
Based on the fact that the Rockies are against winning games vs. the Dodgers (3-12 so far), I think Big Blue will hang on to win the NL West crown…followed by a bunch of people in East LA firing guns wildly into the air. However, I’m about 98% convinced the Rockies snatch the wildcard, and make for exciting October baseball again. And despite what the “experts” (seriously, click on this link; it's mind-blowing how wrong professional baseball analysts can be) say, my bold prediction is that the Colorado Rockies will win the 2009 NL pennant.
It’s not as though this came out of nowhere. The Rocks did it in 2007 against teams that were reportedly better, and that core is mostly in tact (minus Holliday, of course) and more experienced. The biggest difference is their pitching, which has been way better this year all around. They also have great chemistry and a great home crowd – as evidenced by the reaction to that walk-off slam vs. Los Gigantes earlier this week.
Looking at the stats, the usual offensive prowess stands out (top 5 in OPS, OBP, SLG and runs scored) but in a shocking turn of events, the Colorado Rockies are 1st in quality starts in the NL. Pardon my Moroccan, but what the fuck? The rest of the traditional pitching stats are pretty average, but if you scratch the surface there are some other little nuggets that show they’re doing what it takes to win games. Specifically, they’re not blowing them. They only have 11 blown saves all season and have the 3rd best save percentage in the NL. Brad Lidge has blown 9 games by himself. Rockies pitchers also get the 2nd most run support in the league. The bottom line is they’re winning games, and that’s what counts.
The schedule is looking kind the rest of the way. They get to play the lowly Mets, Padres and D-Bags a total of 15 times, plus 6 games against the Brew Crew and the Cards. On paper you’d think that’s a bad thing, but the Rockies are a combined 7-0 this season against those two teams!
I’m excited for September in the NL West. The Dodgers and Rockies finish the year with a 3-game weekend set here at El Estadio Doyer. You bet I’m going to at least one of those games. Sadly the Giants look like they’re fading, and with them my hopes of seeing Timmy Lincecum pitch on a national stage in the playoffs. There’s time left, but it’s running out. More on that later…
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