The National League West has already begun play! The Jack Vita Show is back with its second installment in our MLB Preview Series. This time, Jack welcomes Arizona Diamondbacks beat reporter for PHNX Jesse Friedman AND Denver-based Just Baseball reporter Patrick Lyons, as we preview the National League West division!
The crew kicks things off by putting the Colorado Rockies under the microscope. Patrick has covered the Rockies for many years. Colorado posted its first 100-loss season in franchise history last year, dropping 103 games and finishing in the basement of the NL West. What should fans be watching for this year?
On deck, the conversation shifts to the team Jesse covers: the Arizona Diamondbacks. Last fall, the D-Backs won their first National League Pennant since 2001, losing to the Texas Rangers in the World Series in five games. How will Arizona follow up its impressive 2023, after a rather active offseason? Does the club have a shot at contending for a division title in 2024?
Then, the guys discuss the San Diego Padres. The Padres severely disappointed in 2023, failing to reach the postseason despite being picked by many to win the NL West. The club shed payroll over the winter, bidding farewell to Juan Soto, Michael Wacha, Josh Hader, Blake Snell, Seth Lugo and Matt Carpenter. The club also moved on from manager Bob Melvin, replacing him with former St. Louis Cardinals skipper Mike Shildt. Is there hope for the Padres in 2024?
The San Francisco Giants added a lot over the winter. Will it be enough to return the club to the playoffs? Note that this preview was recorded BEFORE the Giants signed Blake Snell and the Padres traded for Dylan Cease.
Finally, the Los Angeles Dodgers enter the season as the betting favorites to win the World Series, after acquiring Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Teoscar Hernandez, and more. Will this "super team" live up to expectations? Jesse, Patrick and Jack provide over/under win total projections for each team!
Colorado Rockies (0:00 - 25:55)
Arizona Diamondbacks (25:55 - 42:50)
San Diego Padres (42:50 - 56:40)
San Francisco Giants (56:50 - 1:06:10)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1:06:10 - END)
You can follow Patrick (@PatrickDLyons) and Jesse (@JesseNFriedman) on Twitter. Be on the lookout for their content all season long!
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