MLB Division Breakdown 1

Well I figure I might as well get my MBL predictions started with the league's easiest divison... The National League West.

Look boys and girls, it's pretty simple. The Los Angeles Dodgers just re-signed Manny Ramirez. Discussion over. But if for some reason he gets hurt, look for the 2nd place team to swoop past the Dodgers. We'll break this down anyways.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (85-77) - Two words people. Manny Ramirez. ManRam was flat out sick last year after being acquired by LA. He hit .396 with 17 HR and 53 RBI in 53 games for the Dodgers last year. He single handedly put them in the playoffs, where he hit .517 with 4 HR and 10 RBI in 8 games. While their starting pitching is a bit suspect, they should be fine if Manny stays in the lineup. Look for Clayton Kershaw to surprise as backend rotation guy.

2. Arizona Diamondbacks (81-81) - While the Diamondbacks do have the best 1-2 combo in Webb and Haren, they have a tendency to fall apart in September. They're gonna need some unprovens in guys 3-5 in the rotation to step up otherwise Webb, Haren and Conor Jackson may have nice seasons with nothing to show. Shane Reynolds at 3rd base is my lock to lead the league in strikeouts again this year, 204 in 2008. Upton and Chris Young need to improve their batting averages to help out Conor Jackson.

3. San Francisco Giants (75-87) - Poor Tim Lincecum. He wins the NL Cy Young last year with 18 wins, 265 Strikeouts and a 2.62 ERA. His reward? A 1-year $650,000 contract and no offensive support. San Fran will be a very young team this year with a lot of rookies or second year players in their lineup. It'll be hard for Lincecum to produce last year's win total but look for him to dominate in the strikeout and ERA categories. Kid is a beast.

4. Colorado Rockies ( 70-92) - This team isn't very good. And they lost last year's closer(Brian Fuentes to LAA) and last year's best hitter(Matt Holiday trade to Oakland). Now before Spring Training even starts their best pitcher, Jeff Francis to season ending shoulder surgery. Unless Troy Tulowitzki regians his rookie year composure and stats, it could be a very long year in Colorado. The only real question is, will they trade Todd Helton to a contender at the trade deadline?

5. San Diego Padres (65-97) - This team could very well be the worst team in baseball this year. They might even lose over 100 games. They've got no offense and no closer. They cut payroll tremendously. They might have the lowest payroll in baseball. Jake Peavy and Chris Young won't be enough for this team to contend let alone win many games. This team even tried to trade Peavy in the winter. Trade a possible Cy Young winner, this could be the start of a long rebuilding process in San Diego. Good thing they got that new ballpark right?

Tomorrow I'll breakdown the NL Central.