The NL West boasts a defending World Series champion in San Francisco, but at least two teams are expected to seriously challenge them in the division. This division always seems to have some surprises and good pitching. Talk about it in the MLB forums.

NL West Odds courtesy of TheGreek.com

San Francisco Giants (+165)
Colorado Rockies (+185)
Los Angeles Dodgers (+305)
San Diego or Arizona (+625)

San Francisco Giants

San Fran is +1015 to win the NL Pennant and +2250 to win the World Series.

San Francisco shocked the baseball world last year by winning its first World Series since moving West in 1958. The question is whether they’re a ‘one-hit wonder’ or a reasonable risk to make it back to the World Series. These +1015 pennant odds are enticing.

San Fran’s team ERA was first in the NL (3.36) and should be very good again with Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez, Matt Cain, and Madison Bumgarner all back. Playoff hero Brian Wilson is a top-notch closer. The offense was ninth in the league in runs scored last season (697) with only moderate improvement expected.

Prediction: Over 87 ½ wins

Colorado Rockies

Colorado is +1215 to win the NL Pennant and +2550 to win the World Series.

Colorado reached the playoffs in two of the last four years (2007 and 2009 as a wild-card), but missed out last season at 83-79. The Rockies have some star power on offense in Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, but the whole team needs to hit better on the road (15th in the NL) as opposed to home (1st in the NL).

The pitching staff is anchored by Ubaldo Jimenez, and Jorge De La Rosa was kept as a free agent. This squad looks to come in right around 85 wins.

Prediction: Under 86 ½ wins

Los Angeles Dodgers

L.A. is +1615 to win the NL Pennant and +3550 to win the World Series.

Los Angeles’ muddy ownership situation has caused them national scorn, but they did a good job this offseason supplementing the roster. The rotation looks good with Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley up top, followed by Ted Lilly, Hiroki Kuroda and Jon Garland.

The mediocre offense can improve if Matt Kemp, James Loney and Andre Ethier all live up to their potential. The loss of Manny Ramirez is addition by subtraction.

Prediction: Over 83 ½ wins

San Diego Padres

San Diego is +2550 to win the NL Pennant and +6050 to win the World Series.

San Diego surprised just about everyone last year by almost winning the division. However, Adrian Gonzalez was traded to Boston and that effectively sent up the white flag this season. It would take a miracle to repeat last year’s 90 wins, but they should do better than expected.

Prediction: Over 75 ½ wins

Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona is +10250 to win the World Series.

Arizona went just 65-97 last year and the bullpen was a big part of the reason (5.74 ERA). J.J. Putz will be the new closer this year. The starters weren’t great either last season at 4.39 ERA (13th in the NL). The offense can carry this team for stretches, but the overall improvement should only get to the 70 win range.

Prediction: Under 72 ½ wins