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

4. San Francisco Giants

• 2022 record: 81-81
• 2023 win total: 81.5
• Projected record: 74-88
• Playoff status: Missed playoffs

The San Francisco Giants winning 107 games in 2021 and snapping the Dodgers' NL West streak is never going to make sense. San Francisco took a huge step back in 2022 and will continue that backward trend in 2023, falling under their projected win total and losing 88 games in the process.

It's hard to find much about the Giants' roster that's great. The pitching staff got worse with Carlos Rodon leaving for New York. The team also missed out on the two big-name signings it was going for in Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa (the latter of which was the team's decision).

The only thing causing hesitation in fully believing the Giants will be bad is Farhan Zaidi, who came from the Dodgers and has pulled a rabbit out of his hat multiple times working in SF. But in a loaded NL West, we're betting he won't be able to do it again.

3. Arizona Diamondbacks

• 2022 record: 74-88
• 2023 win total: 75.5
• Projected record: 82-80
• Playoff status: Missed playoffs

The Arizona Diamondbacks are going to be much better than a lot of baseball fans think in 2023. There's a lot of young talent on this roster, headlined by the arrival of outfielder Corbin Carroll.

The Diamondbacks went 34-36 after All-Star break last season and should continue that momentum into next season. If the team can catch some injury breaks then there's an outside chance of Arizona making a wild-card spot. However, having to play the Dodgers and Padres a bunch is going to limit their upward climb.

In the NL Central we might be looking at a playoff team in the Diamondbacks. Instead, they get over .500 in a strong year headlined by a under-the-radar pitching staff and young talent in the field.