Divisional Outlook For July - NI West

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By:Jay Nault

There was quite a shakeup in the NL West over the past month, but the fact remains that the division is still completely up for grabs. Only five games separate first place from last. It appears that it’s going to come down to who gets hot at the right time to make a push for the postseason.

San Diego Padres

Currently:

The Padres stormed to the top of the standings over the past month after being stuck in the middle of the standings throughout the majority of the season. The Padres showed some consistency in going 15-11 during the past 30 days, as they rebounded from their only losing skid, which was three games in duration, with their current three-game winning streak. The Padres have been doing this mostly with their pitching, and Chris Young and Trevor Hoffman are leading the way on the mound.

Outlook:

The Padres are getting it done with defense and pitching. If their hitting can come back to life, they could be back in the postseason.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Currently:

After a scorching hot May and June, the Dodgers came back to Earth over the past 30 days, posting a 12-14 record. This stretch included a five-game losing streak and a four-game run of wins. The Dodgers are probably as happy as anyone that interleague play is over, as the team suffered through a 2-10 record against the AL over the past month.

Outlook:

Few teams have ever stayed as hot as the Dodgers were, so this was to be somewhat expected. Losing Eric Gagne for the season was a blow, but the Dodgers will be in it all season.

Colorado Rockies

Currently:

The Rockies enjoyed a turnaround of sorts this past month, but they really went from “bad” to “streaky.” Their pattern of wins and losses is symmetrical if nothing else: win four, lose three, win two, lose two - this all added up to a 15-11 record. The Rockies are still in it, and they actually feasted on the AL in interleague play, going 8-4 against the AL West. Their bats have come alive of late, giving this team some life.

Outlook:

If the Rockies can completely turn the corner and go from “streaky” to “consistent,” they could be a threat for the division crown.

San Francisco Giants

Currently:

The Giants remain in contention, but they had another mediocre month, going 13-15 over the past 30 days. The Giants suffered through two losing streaks lasting four and three games, respectively, and didn’t put together a run of wins longer than three games. In short, their pitching needs to improve if they’re going to capture that elusive consistency.

Outlook:

The Giants need to focus over the All Star break, as they open the second half of the season with ten games against playoff contenders in the Phillies, Brewers and Padres. That stretch could go a long way towards defining their season.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Currently:

This past month, and really the entire 2006 season, was and is about Jason Grimsley. Since his revelation regarding HGH, the one-time first place D’backs have plummeted to the bottom of the standings. The team posted an ugly 7-20 record over the past month. The 20 losses came in bunches, as the Diamondbacks endured losing streaks of four, five, five, three and three games in duration. Arizona was also pounded by the AL in interleague play, winning only four of 15 games.

Outlook:

It would be almost impossible for any team to come back from a distraction like the one caused by Grimsley, but the Diamondbacks are not out of it - yet.

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