BITE-SIZE BREAKDOWN:
HOW THEY'LL FINISH:
1. San Francisco Giants
2. Colorado Rockies
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. San Diego Padres
Division Player of the Year: Justin Upton, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
Upton is perhaps the best player in baseball nobody talks about. The younger brother of B.J., who plays for the Tampa Bay Rays, Upton is a five-tool threat. He hit a clean .300 with 26 HR and 20 steals last season in the toughest division in which to hit in the majors. Consider Upton a perennial All-Star candidate and centerpiece of the Diamondbacks for a long time.
Division Pitcher of the Year: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants
Difference Maker: Matt Cain, SP, San Francisco Giants
Biggest Surprise: Kyle Blanks, IF, San Diego Padres
Blanks is a big boy. The Padres are hoping he puts up big production. In just 54 games last season, the man who looks like a real-life Phat Albert hit 10 home runs and drove in 22 RBI. He earned a spot on the Padres' everyday roster with a torrid spring training, and should put up solid numbers for San Diego this year.
Biggest Letdown: Los Angeles Dodgers Pitching
BOTTOM LINE: It's one of the oldest addages in baseball. Pitching wins games. The Giants have more pitching than anyone in the division, and that's why they'll win more games than anyone else. Two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum is arguably the best pitcher in the National League, and Matt Cain is an outstanding No. 2 man. If the Giants can get more production out of their lineup, they have the pieces to make a run to the NLCS. But that's a big if.
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