NL West
Padres
Good: Currently at the top of the NL West above the Dodgers. The bats have played well led by Fernando Tatis Jr. despite an early injury to OF Jackson Merrill. The pitching has played well overall, despite the injuries led by starter Michael King. Signing OF Gavin Sheets from the White Sox proved be a smart move as a power lefty. P Yu Darvish will return at some point to help the starting unit.
Bad: The division is tough and keeping the top spot will be tough. P Dylan Cease is off to a slow start and much needed with the injuries. The offensive production at Catcher.
Dodgers
Good: The top bats are producing led by Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. P Yoshinobu Yamamoto seems a lot more comfortable in year two leading the way. The pitching has been good overall. Rookie P Roki Sasaki has played well so far. The team has good pitching depth.
Bad: Another year of injuries to the starting pitching unit. Struggles by 3B Max Muncy and OF Michael Conforto. The team is behind the Padres and stuck in a tight division race early season.
Giants
Good: The team is in the early playoff race while keeping up with the teams above. OF Jung-Hoo Lee looks a lot better in year 2 and seems very comfortable as a fan favorite. 1B/3B Wilmer Flores leads the team in homeruns finding early power to start the season. P Logan Webb continues to be underrated and P Robbie Ray has played well. The bullpen has played well.
Bad: The bats are starting to cool off like last season. Veteran P Justin Verlander hasn’t played well to start the season along with P Jordan Hicks leading to a poor starting unit. Big free agency addition SS Willy Adames is off to a slow start. Production from the Catcher position.
Diamondbacks
Good: The bats have played well led by a much-needed rebound season by OF Corbin Carroll. Free agent addition 1B Josh Naylor has been hot after a slow start. The starting pitching and bullpen have both been above average as a unit.
Bad: The injury to star 2B Ketel Marte who should return soon. The team is already falling behind in a tough division. Early struggles of power bats OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and 3B Eugenio Suarez who cooled off after a hot start. Starter Corbin Burnes hasn’t played to his usual level and the rest of the big 3 in Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen haven’t pitched at their usual levels. Production from the Catcher position.
Rockies
Good: OF Brenton Doyle has played well and utility player Kyle Farmer has played well at 2B. Picking up OF Mickey Moniak after a surprising release by the Angels was a smart move as a young player with some power. The pitching has been above average despite playing in a hitter friendly park.
Bad: The team has the worst record in the MLB early in the season. The bats have been horrible including the veterans 1B/OF Kris Bryant and 3B Ryan McMahon. Rookie OF Zac Veen doesn’t seem to be ready. The team hasn’t hit many homeruns despite being in a hitter friendly park. While the pitching has been ok, it could be a lot better.
