The Week In The West: Nobody running away with it early

In this new feature, we will break down the week that was for the NL West. We take a look at surging and struggling players for each team and glance ahead to the upcoming games.

It wasn’t an especially great week for anyone in the division as no team seems particularly primed to get way out in front early.

Arizona Diamondback: 1st Place (24-15)

This Week: @LAD, WAS, Record: 1-5

After splitting a two-game series with the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks proceeded to lose the next three against perennial NL East champions, the Washington Nationals.

Offseason acquisition Steven Souza Jr. made his first appearance last week for Arizona and has yet to find his stride. Daniel Descalso continues to provide excellent value in Jake Lamb’s absence. Paul Goldschmidt has struggled to be an offensive leader of this team as his strikeout totals have increased to over 30 percent.

The starting pitching has been banged up with Taijuan Walker and Robbie Ray missing time. In their stead, Matt Koch has helped give Arizona the best win-loss record among rotations in the National League.

The Week Ahead: MIL (3), @NYM (3)

The Mets are having a hard time getting back to their winning ways of early April, when they started the season 11-1; since then, New York has played .333 baseball (8-16).

Colorado Rockies: 2nd Place (22-18, GB)

This Week: LAA, MIL, Record: 1-4

Entering the week with a five-game winning streak, the Rockies split a two-game set with the Angels before losing three of four against the Brewers behind a blown save by Wade Davis and an historic MLB debut by Freddy Peralta.

It’s been a season of reversals for the Rockies. The typically potent offense has struggled and the generally poor starting pitching has looked very strong.

Trevor Story has emerged as an offensive counterpunch to LeMahieu, Blackmon and Arenado while Ian Desmond continues to frustrate the fan base.

Kyle Freeland made his case as the staff ace with his fourth consecutive quality start and Adam Ottavino has been one of the most dominant relievers across the entire major league.

The Week Ahead: @SD (2), SF (4)

Tied with Atlanta for the best road record in the National League (15-8), the Rockies leave Coors to play two series against division rivals.

San Francisco Giants: 3rd Place (19-20, GB)

This Week: @PHI, @PIT, Record: 1-6

The Giants looked very poor against the Phillies, getting outscored 32-8 during a four-game sweep. They didn’t fare much better as they took just a game from Pittsburgh to end a six-game losing streak.  

The Giants have gotten average production from Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria, but injuries to Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Mark Melancon, Hunter Pence, and Joe Panik have made it challenging for them to contend in this even year.

In his last four starts, Jeff Samardzija is 0-1 with an 8.84 ERA and 1.85 WHIP; the former Notre Dame wide receiver will make his next start Thursday against Colorado.

The Week Ahead: CIN (3), COL (4)

San Francisco has a respectable 10-7 home record this season and face the bottom-dwelling Reds (12-27) next.

Los Angeles Dodgers: 4th Place (16-22, GB)

This Week: ARI, CIN, Record: 1-4

Traveling back from Mexico after a three-game series against the Padres in Monterrey, the Dodgers split a two-game series with the DBacks and were swept by the team with the worst record in the NL, the Cincinnati Reds.

Injuries have also plagued Los Angeles in all areas. Jason Turner, Logan Forsythe, Clayton Kershaw, and Hyun-jin Ryu have all missed time for the Dodgers; shortstop and two-time Silver Slugger Corey Seager went down in early May is out for the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

After a slow start, Cody Bellinger is back to leading the Dodgers offense behind Yasmani Grandal and Matt Kemp.

Rookie Walker Buehler has impressed with a 1.64 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in his four starts; his 5/4 start against the Padres in Mexico resulted in four pitchers combining for a no-hitter. The rest of rotation, even excluding Kershaw, has been one of the best in the NL. Closer Kenley Jensen, often the most reliable and consistent Dodgers player, has been less than consistent.

The Week Ahead: @MIA (3), @WAS (3)

The Dodgers fly to the east coast for two series against NL East foes.

San Diego Padres: 5th Place (14-26, GB)

This Week: WAS, STL, 3-4

San Diego continues to play their worst baseball against those outside of the NL West, but they were able to squeeze two games from NL Central leaders St Louis to end the week.

Eric Hosmer was the big signing this offseason for the Padres and he’s been relatively productive considering the lack of offseason in front and behind him in the lineup. Christian Villanueva has mashed 9 home runs so far, 3 against Colorado (at home on 4/3) and 5 against NL West teams.

The rotation has performed below expectations for a staff that starts half its games at pitcher-friendly Petco Park; the bullpen has one of the best in baseball, led by closer Brad Hand.

The Week Ahead: COL (2), @PIT (4)

With a 7-17 record against RHP, the Friars may have another challenging week against five righties.