Dodgers: NL West Position Rankings

Jul 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A general view of Dodger Stadium during the fifth inning between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A general view of Dodger Stadium during the fifth inning between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chalk flies as San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner uses a rosin bag on the pitcher’s mound in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during opening day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chalk flies as San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner uses a rosin bag on the pitcher’s mound in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during opening day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Rotation

1. Bumgarner, Cueto, Moore, Samardzija, Cain, SF

Behind Bumgarner and Cueto this rotation slows down a bit. The names are nice but the production isn’t what you would expect. Moore and Samardzija were hot and cold for the stretch run of the season.  Also, Cain is not a viable starter anymore and will only hold back this team. Saying all that, they still have the best rotation in the west.

2. Kershaw, Hill, Maeda, Ryu, Mccarthy LAD

Whenever you have Kershaw in your rotation, you’re doing something right. Behind him is a lot of potential, but a lot of questions. Will Hill continue his resurgence? Will Madea have a sophomore slump? Will Ryu be able to work out his shoulder problems? Can Mccarthy stay healthy? The strength in this team’s rotation may lie in its depth.  So, if any of the question marks don’t pan out reinforcements will be on the way.

3. Greinke, Walker, Miller, Ray, Corbin, ARI

Arizona has a lot of similarities to LAD in the sense they have a lot of potential, but also a lot of unknown. Greinke is just one year removed from a Cy Young caliber season. Walker and Miller sit in the “tons of potential, but yet to have put it together” boat.  Ray and Corbin will hold their own in the back of the rotation.  If the front 3 of this rotation can put it together, they will be very formidable.

4. Gray, Chatwood, Anderson, Senzatela, Musgrave, COL

Colorado doesn’t have the biggest names and more than likely won’t impress anyone. However, Gray has the stuff to be an ace and proved it down the stretch last season. Behind him, is a lot of unproven talent that won’t be served well in Coors Field. It’s going to take a lot of luck for this rotation to put it together. They have a tall task ahead of them.

5. Chacin, Richard, Weaver, Perdomo, Cahill, SD

Remember how I said San Diego’s biggest problem was its outfield? Well, their rotation comes in at a close second.  The rotation is basically filled with a bunch of other teams throw aways. It will definitely be a very hard rotation to watch if you’re a Padres fan.