* – indicates new to team
AVG – Batting Average
ERA – Earned Run Average
HR – Home Runs
RBI – Runs Batted In
SV – Saves

1. San Francisco Giants
The best rotation in baseball makes them hard to bet against.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
An impressive spending spree has them in contention for many years.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
They’re good, but they would be better with Justin Upton.
4. San Diego Padres
If they contend it will surprise everyone in the NL West.
5. Colorado Rockies
Managing High School kids is a lot easier than Major Leaguers.

Player to Watch: OF Matt Kemp Los Angeles Dodgers
He is capable of winning multiple MVP awards (almost had one in 2011).  If the Dodgers are to remain in the pennant race at any point this season they will need a healthy Matt Kemp to lead them.
Best Acquisition: P Zack Greinke Los Angeles Dodgers
The newest pitcher to be awarded a $100 million dollar contract, Greinke is now thrown into one of the biggest media markets to go along with the expectations that his new contract brings.  It could spell trouble, but he is far too talented to let that happen.
New Kid on the Block: OF Adam Eaton Arizona Diamondbacks
One big reason Arizona’s GM Kevin Towers decided to trade OF Justin Upton to the Atlanta Braves is because of the potential of Eaton.  Arizona has a stacked stable of outfielders and Upton became the odd man out with Eaton waiting in the wings.

Bruce Bochy’s Job: Do exactly what you did last year

Most Important Player: P Tim Lincecum

.282 AVG 3 HR 19 RBI
2. 2B Mark Ellis
.258 AVG 7 HR 31 RBI
3. 1B Adrian Gonzalez
.299 AVG 18 HR 108 RBI
4. CF Matt Kemp
.303 AVG 23 HR 69 RBI
5. RF Andre Ethier
.284 AVG 20 HR 89 RBI
6. SS Hanley Ramirez
.257 AVG 24 HR 92 RBI
7. 3B Luis Cruz
.297 AVG 6 HR 40 RBI
8. C A.J. Ellis
.270 AVG 13 HR 52 RBI

Bench

INF/OF Jerry Hairston
.273 AVG 4 HR 26 RBI
INF Skip Schumaker*
.276 AVG 1 HR 28 RBI
INF Nick Punto
.219 AVG 1 HR 10 RBI

Rotation

1. Clayton Kershaw
14-9 2.53 ERA
2. Zack Greinke*
15-5 3.48 ERA
3. Hyun-Jin Ryu*
9-9 2.66 ERA (South Korea)
4. Josh Beckett
7-14 4.65 ERA
5. Chris Capuano
12-12 3.72 ERA

Setup

Kenley Jansen
25 SV 2.35 ERA

Closer

Brandon League
15 SV 3.13 ERA

Don Mattingly’s Job: Forget about the expectations and just play ball.

Most Important Player: P Clayton Kershaw

2. 3B Martin Prado*
.301 AVG 10 HR 70 RBI
3. 2B Aaron Hill
.302 AVG 26 HR 85 RBI
4. C Miguel Montero
.286 AVG 15 HR 88 RBI
5. 1B Paul Goldschmidt
.286 AVG 20 HR 82 RBI
6. LF Jason Kubel
.253 AVG 30 HR 90 RBI
7. RF Cody Ross*
.267 AVG 22 HR 81 RBI
8. SS Cliff Pennington*
.215 AVG 6 HR 28 RBI

Bench

OF Gerardo Parra
.273 AVG 7 HR 36 RBI
INF/OF Eric Hinske*
.197 AVG 2 HR 13 RBI
INF Eric Chavez*
.281 AVG 16 HR 37 RBI

Rotation

1. Ian Kennedy
15-12 4.02 ERA
2. Trevor Cahill
13-12 3.78 ERA
3. Wade Miley
16-11 3.33 ERA
4. Brandon McCarthy*
8-6 3.24 ERA
5. Patrick Corbin
6-8 4.54 ERA

Setup

David Hernandez
2-3 2.50 ERA

Closer

J.J. Putz
32 SV 2.82 ERA

Kirk Gibson’s Job: Keep everyone on the same page.

Most Important Player: C Miguel Montero