NL West predictions: Can the Dodgers hold off the Padres in 2023?

The Los Angeles Dodgers have dominated the NL West for a decade now and have made the playoffs 10 years in a row, winning the division in all but one of those seasons. The team's current run is the third-longest postseason streak in MLB history behind the 1991-2005 Atlanta Braves and 1995-2007 New York Yankees.

This year is different, though. This is the first season in quite some time in which the Dodgers are not the runaway favorites. Los Angeles lost several notable names over the offseason while the San Diego Padres continued to add top talent.

After the Padres beat the Dodgers in the NLDS last year, many figured the 2023 season will represent a changing of the guard. But will it? Can the Dodgers stave off the Padres and continue their run atop the NL West? Or will LA be playing in a three-game wild card series? Let's break down the division, team by team.

5. Colorado Rockies

• 2022 record: 68-94
• 2023 win total: 64.5
• Projected record: 71-91
• Playoff status: Missed playoffs

The Colorado Rockies will finish with the worst record in the division but actually see an improvement from last season when they won 68 games. A three-game improvement is marginal but this puts the team six wins in the green when it comes to its 2023 win total set by bookmakers.

Kris Bryant missed most of last season, but when he did play the Rockies were close to a .500 team, going 20-22 in Bryant's 42 starts. That won't translate across the entire season, especially with the pitching staff, but it'll be enough to comfortably finish above the lowly projection of 65 wins.