The NL West in 2008 was easily the weakest division in the National League, and perhaps the weakest division in baseball. The division averaged over 10 more losses than wins, and for a while it looked like a team with a losing record would win the division. 2009 tells a different stories, as three teams have turned it around.
A 57-54 average record at first glance may not seem like anything special, but it's better than the average records found in both the NL East and NL Central divisions. This recent turnaround has been led by the Dodgers, Giants, and Rockies, all improved in 2009.
The teams have had additions like Orlando Hudson for the Dodgers, Edgar Renteria for the Giants, and Jason Marquis for the Rockies, but the real secret to the winning for the Dodgers, Giants, and Rockies (D-backs and Padres still the same) is the players they have stepping up.
The most dangerous team so far in the West would be the LA Dodgers. Much of the team's success in 2009 results from its drastically improved pitching rotation. Chad Billingsley is having a great season, but so are Clayton Kershaw and Randy Wolf. Hiroki Kuroda has been serviceable as well, creating a very deep rotation in LA.
Other players have also put up solid numbers for the Dodgers. Andre Ethier has 23 home runs and 73 RBIs, and Matt Kemp has 15 home runs and 69 RBIs, plus a .315 batting average.
In San Francisco, the efforts of Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum have completely turned this team around. Both are legitimate contenders for Cy Young awards in 2009, and there's no better one-two punch in baseball today. Pablo Sandoval, in his first full season, has stepped up as the team's best hitter.
The Rockies have lost Matt Holliday, but that doesn't seem to matter. Todd Helton is in the midst of a revival year, Troy Tulowitzki has bounced back hard after a slow 2008, and Brad Hawpe is having a great season.
With the Dodgers having the best record in the NL and Giants and Rockies both at top of the wild card chase, the league had better watch out for them in the playoffs .
