Baseball Update: NL West

The Baseball Update is a feature to keep you updated on what is happening in the baseball world.

The NL West is going to be a dog race until the end. The Dodgers, as expected, lead the division and are off to a very hot start. They are second in the NL in runs scored and third in ERA.

The Padres meanwhile have kept up the with the pace and are only 2.5 games behind the Dodgers. The Padres though are like the Giants, with issues surrounding their offensive production.

Let's take a look at the other headlines around the NL West.

Trevor who?: Padres fans wept the day San Diego didn't resign long-time closer Trevor Hoffman to a contract. Well they don't have to worry about that move anymore. Heath Bell has filled into that spot nicely. Bell leads the league with seven saves and he has only allowed five baserunners in 7 2/3 innings. Meanwhile Hoffman started the year off on the DL with Milwaukee.

That's the Giants Pitching I expected: During a five-game winning streak, the Giants pitching staff only allowed seven runs. So they might have played both San Diego and Arizona, not exactly offensive powerhouses, the streak is still impressive. Even Barry Zito had an impressive performance, picking up a no-decision because the Giants offense can't score runs.

Where's the Pitching: The Colorado Rockies have gone 3-7 in the last ten games. And their pitching staff hasn't helped. Colorado has always been known as a graveyard for pitchers, but with the addition of putting baseball's in a humidor as helped the Rockies pitching staff. Well this year it hasn't helped out one bit. Every Rockies starting pitcher has an ERA over 4 and has given up at least 12 runs or more. Clint Herdle will not be able to get off the hot seat, without the pitching staff improving.

No matter what team is on a hot streak, this division will come down to the very end. Los Angles, San Diego, and San Francisco will battle all season long for the top spot in the NL West. I still expect a very mediocre year out of this division.