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2016 MLB season: NL West preview

By Jason Parker

Oct 13, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws against the New York Mets during the second inning in game four of the NLDS at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws against the New York Mets during the second inning in game four of the NLDS at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner (right) celebrates with catcher Buster Posey after defeating the Kansas City Royals during game seven of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco Giants

Since 2010, no team has brought home more World Series trophies than the men from the Bay Area. It doesn’t even matter that they haven’t won a divisional title since 2012, because this year’s Giants team seems healthy and ready to bring home another NL West title and maybe a lot more.

Projected lineup
CF Denard Span
2B Joe Panik
3B Matt Duffy
C Buster Posey
RF Hunter Pence
1B Brandon Belt
LF Angel Pagan
SS Brandon Crawford

Last season, the injury bug bit the Giants early on and took Pence out of the picture early in spring training, setting the tone for how things would go in 2015. In 2016, a healthy Pence batting behind one of the best players in baseball over the past half decade (Posey) creates a duo that can do some serious damage at the plate.

Projected rotation
LHP Madison Bumgarner
RHP Johnny Cueto
RHP Jeff Samardzija
RHP Jake Peavy
RHP Matt Cain

After a monster showing in the 2014 World Series, the whole weight of the pitching staff was on the shoulders of Bumgarner. If the Giants want to win the NL West again and head back to the World Series, Cueto and the rest of the staff needs to pick up their own share of duties.

Projected record: 95-67

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