Los Angeles Dodgers: Predicting the 2020 NL West standings
By Jason Reed
![LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 01: Austin Hedges #18 of the San Diego Padres laughs with Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after getting hit by his foul tip during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on August 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 01: Austin Hedges #18 of the San Diego Padres laughs with Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after getting hit by his foul tip during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on August 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/32a84254210ba1f2df6bb050a6003b10de500c94ffde614ff414091f7d69e810.jpg)
4. Colorado Rockies
- 2019 record: 71-91
- 2020 record: 78-84
The Colorado Rockies finished fourth in the National League West last season and will finish fourth yet again, although it will be a better season for the Rockies and they will finish ahead of a different team.
In a lot of ways, the Rockies underperformed last season. While the team dealt with injuries, if you look at their lineup, they do not have a lineup that should only win 71 games.
There was trade speculation around Nolan Arenado in the offseason as Arenado’s reportedly felt disrespected by the team, but nothing came to be. While Arenado could absolutely be traded this year if things are going poorly, I think the Rockies wait until the offseason to consider any trade.
If the lineup stays healthy it is dangerous and can beat any team on any given night. With top prospect Brenden Rodgers finally ready to make an impact this season, the offense could be even better as well.
The problem is that the pitching staff is just so bad and it does not help that they have to pitch at Coors Field in half of their games. This is not a case of the Rockies’ rotation getting banged up because of Coors, it is a bad rotation that is made worse by the conditions.
Another Angels’ comparison: the Rockies are the extreme version of the Los Angeles Angels. They have a slightly worse lineup 1-9 and have worse pitching and don’t benefit from playing in a pitcher-friendly park.
Colorado still underperformed last season. 78 wins feel about right.