It wasn’t so long ago, folks, that the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies were facing each other in the NLCS for the right to play the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.  In fact, just seven months ago, these two teams (along with the Phillies) were being hailed the prizes of the National League, full of youth, talent, and excitement.  As the 2008 season has unfolded, however, both these teams have stumbled.  But the struggles haven’t remained within the two organizations; the Dodgers and Padres have both played well below expectations and the San Francisco Giants are, by my considerations, the only team exceeding expectations.  So why is this?

Arizona Diamondbacks. Lets start with the division leaders (barely), the Diamondbacks.  Floating at an even .500 mark of 40-40, the Diamondbacks lead the piss-poor division despite winning just 9 of their last 24 games in the month of June.  Brandon Webb and Dan Haren have both been fantastic, leading 11-4 and 8-4 records respectively and captaining the rotation ahead of the Big Unit, Micah Owings, and Doug Davis.  Everyone has been on Micah Owings jock for his ability to hit…but I’m on his ass for his lackluster pitching performance this year.  Owings ERA is north of five and you have to go back to May 25th for a start in which he allowed less than three runs, May 14th for a start in which he didn’t allow a run.

The essence of their success last year, timely hitting, has been lacking this season.  Super-talent Justin Upton has struggled since his incredible start to the year.  Eric Byrnes, the catalyst for much of the Diamondbacks offense, has struggled this year, having his average dip to .210 since coming off an injury in which he tore both of his quad muscles.  How is that even possible?  Anyways, Byrnes was hitting a whopping 100 points higher last season at this point.  Don’t get too caught up in Chris Young’s power numbers; he’s hitting a dismal .230 and his OBP of .300 is concerning, especially for a leadoff hitter. Read the rest of this entry »

Hosts: Sonny, Ryan and Rich: This episode focused entirely on the National League West. With the hiring of former Yankees skipper Joe Torre, are the Dodgers ready for their youth movement to finally make a playoff run? Or will Brandon Webb’s Arizona Diamondbacks repeat? Can the Colorado Rockies continue their magical run of 2007? And can Jake Peavy and Chris Young carry the Padres back into the postseason? All of this and more on the Sportable Spot.

Note: We’ve recorded our podcasts for the AL Central and AL East. They will be posted in a few days after we complete the NL West team previews.

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Another Year of Pitching Duels: The last couple years, I’ve been on record saying the San Diego Padres were a couple legitimate bats away from being favorites in the National League. But year after year, those bats don’t come. Instead, the team relies on a bunch of veteran role players to fill holes. While the pitching staff of this team remains among the game’s elite, an awful offense is keeping this team from being true World Series contenders.

Bats. Padres CEO Sandy Alderson has attempted to carry over the blueprint he used to build winners in Oakland. He’s a fan of inexpensive guys with good on base percentages. However, you’ll find few of those in this lineup. While the infield is full of young talent, San Diego’s Opening Day outfield is arguably the worst in baseball.

1st baseman Adrian Gonzalez, a former #1 overall pick and San Diego native, has flourished with the Padres. In his second year with the team, Gonzalez hit .282 with career highs in homers (30) and RBIs (100). Despite playing in a pitcher’s paradise, his left-handed bat has emerged into one of the league’s best at the position. Now if only he could avoid a month long slump that has plagued him the last two seasons. Across the diamond, 3rd baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff overcame a terrible start to post solid rookie numbers of .275-18-74. With a full season under his belt, Kouz should be hearing far more “Koooooz” than “Boooooo” in 2008. Read the rest of this entry »

Last night’s wild card play-in game might have been one of the best I’ve ever watched. We had several lead changes, several crucial mistakes, and several players step up when it mattered most. First and foremost, I shouldn’t shy away from my belief that Matt Holliday should be the MVP. His numbers are without a doubt some of the best by any player this season and, even though I like Jimmy Rollins, a lot has to be said for Holliday’s impact on this team. I hate to use this example but if you were to take Rollins out of that Phillies lineup, it’d still be a relatively competitive team. I think if you take Holliday out of this Rockies lineup, you have the same 10 to 15 games under .500 team that you had before he developed into the monster he is.

And what’s the deal with Jake Peavy? Over the past three seasons, Peavy has asserted himself to be one of the most dominant pitchers in the game. When it comes time for the big game, however, Peavy has choked with remarkable Buffalo Bills consistency. His outing last night was far from spectacular and the six runs he surrendered were as many as he had given up in his past four starts combined. Sure, he’s a lock for the Cy Young, but does it really mean much if he’s sitting at home watching the Rockies face the Phillies in the divisionals?

Finally, my case against instant replay. I don’t care if Matt Holliday touched the plate. Matt Holliday even said in the post-game interview that he didn’t know if he touched the plate. Regardless, the umpire called him safe and that should be the final verdict. This game isn’t like football. Baseball isn’t a non-stop action sport. The integrity of the umpires and the integrity of the game would be compromised with a review system. And aren’t the blown calls just a part of the game anyways? The strike zone is an invisible box that is created by the umpire. This game is built around the umpire using his two eyes, not multiple camera angles. It should stay that way.

With the All Star Game rosters officially announced yesterday, it’s time for that inevitable debate of snubs. Both Tony LaRussa and Jim Leyland had difficult tasks, no doubt. But there were some mistakes. Luckily, fans have a chance to correct those blunders. Did LaRussa pick that pitching staff drunk? Maybe LaRussa mistakenly missed CY’s name in that drunken haze of his. If he was sober, how in the hell did he take a second Colorado Rockie, Brian Fuentes, over Chris Young?

Most people probably felt Young’s inclusion was a given. After all, the 6′10 Princeton grad has put up some gaudy numbers. Young’s 2.14 ERA is just decimal points behind co-leaders Brad Penny and teammate Jake Peavy. His 8-3 record is a huge reason the Padres are currently leading a brutally tough National League West. Hell, San Diego fans have been debating about who the better pitcher is all season long. The only discussion that should involve Chris Youngis the NL Cy Young Award discussion, not a spot on the NL roster.

Here’s a few numbers to throw out there for discussion. Since May 1st, Young has allowed a whopping total of ten earned runs. That’s 11 starts. Hell, the guy is just a week removed from flinging a one-hitter against the Boston Red Sox. Shouldn’t that have gotten him some attention from LaRussa. His win against LaRussa’s Cardinals back in last year’s playoffs sure as hell didn’t. A space on the roster belongs to Mr. Young. Carlos Zambrano will likely win the Final Vote on reputation. If he does, Tony LaRussa should be forced to receive one of those patented Young right hooks.

In light of Battleship Sorry Stratego Milton Bradley being traded to the Padres, I thought I would take a look at Bradley’s storied career.? You want to talk about a?volcano of controversy waiting to explode, Bradley has had?his share of incidents with the police, teammates, and umpires and all of these run-in’s?(despite how detrimental they have been to the team) have been hilarious.

Of course the incident that most people can point at was when he was with the Dodgers and a fan threw a plastic beer bottle at Bradley.? How did he react?? He showed how composed he was by grabbing it and whipping it back at the guy.? Because of his reaction, he picked up a five game suspension from the league and nationwide popularity fame.

Sorry!? In 2005 Bradley got into it with Jeff Kent, a guy who is known to be a?true asshole in the clubhouse.? If you remember,?Kent and Bonds scuffled a few years back when he was still in San Francisco and he also violated terms of his contract by hurting himself cleaning his oversized truck.? Kent called out Bradley for not hustling and Bradley retaliated by throwing the race card at Kent.? Was Kent being racist or was he just being the prick that he usually is?? Depends on who you ask.

Yahtzee!? In 2004 Bradley was arrested for obstructing police.? He was a passenger in a car and, while being pulled over by police, Bradley decided to get out of the car.? Contrary to police demands, he mouse trapped said no to the cops and was thus arrested.? Bradley then refused to sign the citation and was charged with?obstructing official business.

Hey Padres, Guess Who?? Bradley is undoubtedly a barrel of monkeys in the clubhouse.? Don’t Break the Ice with this Hungry Hungry Hippo or the Padres will have Ants in the Pants and a Battleship sized problem.? Ok, I had to get that game-laden sentence out.? In all seriousness, if he can keep his cool then he will help a Padres team that could use some spice in the lineup.? People are going to wave caution flags and say, ‘Hey its Milton Bradley be careful.’? I’ll respond by saying ‘Hey, the other option is Termel Sledge or Russell Branyan.’