National League West the week that was recapped.
1. Colorado Rockies (11-4, .733)
Hitting Stud: Charlie Blackmon
Blackmon is off to an enormous start to the 2020 season. He’s hitting .458 AVG which currently leads the league. The veteran is off to a blazing start and has a great chance to finish the season batting above .400.
Hitting Dud: Nolan Arenado
The Perennial All-Star has yet to catch fire this season. Arenado has a .179 AVG. and an abysmal 41.9 K%. It’s been a struggle for the superstar, it’ll be a surprise if his struggles continue throughout the entire season.
Pitching Stud: German Marquez
Marquez is looking to regain his 2018 form and it looks like he’s getting back to it. He has a 2.06 ERA in 26 IP. If Marquez continues his hot start the Rockies could remain contenders throughout the season.
Pitching Dud: Wade Davis
Davis has only pitched in two innings this season but it has been a horrific two innings for the highly paid closer. The veteran has given up 5 ER, 2 HR, and 3 BB. It seems that the Rockies have moved on from Davis on holding down the closing job.
Upcoming Week: 3 vs ARI, 3 vs TEX
Two teams whose offenses have been struggling come into an offensive environment. The Rockies pitching staff looks to stay hot and keep the bats quiet.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (11-5, .688, 0.5 GB)
Hitting Stud: Corey Seager
This was an easy choice. Seager is absolutely murdering the ball this season. Crushing the ball with a 94.8 MPH Exit Velocity, 62.2 Hard Hit%, and 22.2% Barrel%. The young shortstop is back and healthy in what seems like one of the leagues top offenses.
Hitting Dud: Max Muncy
The slugger has only six extra-base hits on the season so far. With a team-low .177 AVG, and 108 wRC+. Muncy has struggled with the fastball this season, it seems like it’s due to the large amount of time off they had. With time Muncy should be back to crushing fastballs once again.
Pitching Stud: Jake McGee
The veteran lefty is striking out hitters at an extreme rate this season. Yes, he only has six innings pitched but he has ten Ks and no runs allowed. McGee is out for revenge after being let go by the Rockies.
Pitching Dud: Walker Buehler
The young phenom is off to a rocky start this season. In 14 IP the young righty has allowed 8 BB, 4 HR, 7 ER, and only 12 Ks.
Upcoming Week: 4 vs SD, 3 @ LAA
The Dodgers won the first series 2-1 against the Padres as they look to do it again. The Angels are struggling at a 5-11 record and with a weak pitching staff, the Dodgers look to stay hot.
3. San Diego Padres (9-7, .563, 2.5 GB)
Hitting Stud: Fernando Tatis Jr.
We’re you expecting anyone else? The young phenom is destroying everything in sight. Tatis Jr has a 1.226 OPS and tied with a league-leading eight HRs. Did someone say MVP!?
Hitting Dud: Jurickson Profar
Hitting a terrible .136 AVG, Profar has fallen to the bottom of the lineup after starting opening day in the four spot.
Pitching Stud: Dinelson Lamet
In 22 IP this season Lamet has 28 Ks, 14 Hits allowed and only 1 HR allowed. The Padres had high hopes for Lamet entering this season and he’s proving to be a capable number two starter.
Pitching Dud: Kirby Yates
The highly touted closer is not himself so far this season. In four IPs, Yates has allowed 7 Hits, 5 ER, and 4 BB.
Upcoming Week: 4 @ LAD, 3 @ ARI
The Padres pitching staff had a rough go with the Dodgers in the first series. They’ve had their way with the Diamondbacks in the first two series. They look to contain the Dodgers bats and leap them in the standings.
4. San Fransisco Giants (7-10, .412, 5.0 GB)
Hitting Stud: Donovan Solano
The veteran infielder has a .455 AVG and 1.111 OPS. After a strong first season with the Giants last year, he’s off to another solid start in 2020.
Hitting Dud: Brandon Crawford
The longtime Giants SS is struggling with a .171 AVG and .398 OPS. He has yet to have an extra-base hit this season.
Pitching Stud: Logan Webb
He leads the Giants starters with a 2.13 ERA. The young righty is just looking to keep getting innings and stay in the big leagues.
Pitching Dud: Johnny Cueto
Cueto has struggled allowing 16 H, 9 BB, and 11 ER. The veteran looks to keep his career alive as an inning eater for the rebuilding giants.
Upcoming Week: 3 @ HOU, 3 VS OAK
Facing two strong offenses this upcoming week troubles loom ahead for the Giants pitching staff.
5. Arizona Diamondbacks (6-10, .375, 5.5 GB)
Hitting Stud: Starling Marte
Leading the Diamondbacks with a .340 AVG. Marte has been one of the few bats who has shown up for the Dbacks offense this season.
Hitting Dud: Jake Lamb
It feels like Lamb has been a hitting dud for the past 2 seasons. Lamb is just. 2-24 on the season with a .083 AVG. It’s incredibly difficult to find a reason why he is still on this roster.
Pitching Stud: Merrill Kelly
In his 2nd season back in the Majors from the KBO, Kelly has found his groove. Kelly has just a 1.3 BB%. With a great defense behind him, Kelly has a 45.0 GB%. He is excelling at his strong suit and looks to keep it going through the season.
Pitching Co-Duds: Robbie Ray & Madison Bumgarner
The longball has haunted Ray & MadBum this season as they have given up a combined 13 HRs. Hopes were high for the two veteran lefties but it has been as bad as it gets for them. It can’t get any worse, can it?
Upcoming Week: 3 @ COL, 3 VS SD
The Dbacks offense needs to come alive and quick. In a short season like this one, the Dbacks can quickly find themselves out of the playoff hunt.
Follow Marcos Mendoza on Twitter @MendozaM_12
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