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With the first week of the season behind us, it seems like a good time to introduce a new weekly feature here at the ‘Pit: the National League West recap! Every Friday, we'll go over points that could prove important for the rest of us--injuries, records, and general trends in the rest of the West. We'll skip Dback news, because, well...look around you. If you've missed it, I'm sure you can catch up before we get started.
After a week of competition, the division is separated by one half game between each team; the reigning "world" champions are in the cellar, while the Rockies carry the first place banner through the first six games (talk about small sample size!). After the jump, a closer look.
Record: 2-4
Last week: A surprising fail of a series against the Dodgers (except the 10-0 blowout), and a split with the Padres.
Injuries: Beady eyed Cody Ross is on the DL with a torn calf muscle, and as of March 30th, he hasn't resumed running. In other news, ouch.
Santiago Casilla is out with an inflamed right elbow, and is expected to be back in late April.
Notable Performances: On Wednesday, Brian Wilson came back from the DL to pitch two thirds of the ninth inning and give up three runs to the Padres. Unfortunately for fantasy baseball-ers (especially myself and snakecharmer), that left Wilson with a 40.50 ERA.
Upcoming Games: This weekend, the Giants take on the Cardinals at home for a three game series, and then the Dodgers take a trip to the Bay for a three game series.
Record: 3-3
Last week: Won three of four against the reigning champs, and lost two in Colorado.
Injuries: Poor Jon Garland just can't catch any luck...he's been on three NL West teams in three years, and now he's out with an oblique strain. He could be back in time for the series in San Francisco.
Juan Uribe is day to day with left elbow swelling.
Notable Performances: Eh. Whatever.
Upcoming Games: This week sees the Dodgers on the road, facing the Padres this weekend and the Giants on Monday.
Record: 4-1
Last Week: Colorado was probably helped by the crappy scheduling and a postponed game (to be played as a double header on May 24). They split the remaining two games with the Diamondbacks, mostly due to Ubaldo's mystery injury. The Rox took both games they played against the Dodgers, thanks to Clayton Kershaw not pitching like, well, Clayton Kershaw.
Injuries: Ubaldo got a snake bite. Right on his thumb. Yeah, let's go with that. What matters right now is that the Rockies still haven't set a time frame for his return. Didn't he just crack a cuticle? Really? God, I'm just gonna go with the snake bite. Sounds way more bad ass.
Notable Performances: Jhoulys Chacin shut out the Dodgers on the fifth, holding them to five hits over seven innings.
This Week: The Rockies are in Pittsburgh this weekend, and will head to New York for a four game series against the Mets on Monday.
Record: 3-2
Last Week: The Padres started their season with two wins and a loss in St Louis, and then two games that they split with San Francisco.
Injuries: Mat Latos is still out with bursitis in his right shoulder.
Notable Performances: Not much happening there...
This Week: This weekend, the Padres are in LA, and then they'll head to Cincinnati for a series against the Reds.