Dodgers have few dents as best team in division
Los Angeles Dodgers
2017: 104-58, first place in NL West, World Series runner-up. This season: The Dodgers remain NL pennant favorites after returning just about everybody — notably the best pitcher in baseball, left-hander Clayton Kershaw. But the Dodgers will start the season without their best hitter, third baseman Justin Turner, who suffered a broken wrist in spring training when he was hit by a pitch.
Who to watch: L.A. has six regular position players age 27 or younger — highlighted by first baseman Cody Bellinger, the NL rookie of the year last season, and shortstop Corey Seager, the NL rookie of the year in 2016.
Arizona Diamondbacks
2017: 93-69, second place in NL West, played in NLDS.
This season: They lost slugger J.D. Martinez to Boston in free agency and replaced him with gloveman Jarrod Dyson in the outfield. Also, Arizona will start the season without ace Zack Greinke (groin strain). The bullpen remains a question, but it was last season too, when they finished with the third-best record in the NL. Oh, and they added a humidor this season. Who to watch: First baseman Paul Goldschmidt remains one of the best players in the NL, an under-the-radar type who produces in a similar way to Charlie Blackmon. And third baseman Jake Lamb is always a hassle for the Rockies.
Colorado Rockies
2017: 87-75, third place in NL West, played in wild-card game. This season: They raised an already stout bullpen by adding closer Wade Davis. That bullpen last season was outdone by only the Dodgers. It helped the Rockies finish with a winning road record (41-40) for just the second time. And they matched up well with the Dodgers, going 10-9. If they can carve more separation in the division, the Rockies could host a postseason game.
Who to watch: Rookie first baseman Ryan Mcmahon may start the season in Triple-a, but he will certainly factor at some point this season. His potential is similar to Bellinger, whom the Dodgers promoted in late April before he took off.
San Diego Padres
2017: 71-91, fourth place in NL West.
This season: What a weird team. In the middle of a rebuild, and after failing in a hard push to sign Japanese star Shohei Otani, the Padres grabbed veteran third baseman Chase Headley from the Yankees and first baseman Eric Hosmer from the Royals. That confidence is endearing. They also signed former Rockies right-hander Jordan Lyles, but their pitching staff remains a big question.
Who to watch: Closer Brad Hand finished with a 0.93 WHIP (walks and hits allowed per inning pitched), one of the best marks in the NL. But he earned just 21 saves (10th most) because the Padres struggled to give him a lead.
San Francisco Giants
2017: 64-98, last place in NL West.
This season: The Giants seem to be operating in an existential crisis. They had not finished as far as 40 games back since 1943. But instead of tearing down, they spent big to build up, signing former Rays third baseman Evan Longoria and Pirates outfielder Andrew Mccutchen, two franchise players on their previous teams.
Who to watch: Ace lefty Madison Bumgarner plodded through a difficult 2017 season after he crashed a motorcycle in Colorado last April. And closer Mark Melancon, from Golden High School in the Denver area, struggled due in part to a forearm injury. Then Bumgarner suffered a broken finger Friday when he was hit by a line drive. He probably will miss four to six weeks. His return, and Melancon’s, are key.