The Padres have been a part of the National League's Western Division since the team was founded back in 1969. Since 1969, both the National League and the Western Division have expanded. For the better part of a decade however, the American League has been looked at as the better league because they have won more World Series and more All Star Games. American League baseball has also become more popular than the National League and there are many theories as to why this is. Some believe that it is because the American is a more offensive league because of the designated hitter that does not exist in the National League. Others believe it is because the American League has more historic teams with amazing traditions like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Tigers just to name a few.
But things changed last year as the National league won the All Star Game for the first time since 1996, and the San Francisco Giants won the World Series. Unfortunately for the Padres, they are in the same division as the Giants. Three other teams call the National League West home, the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Rockies.
After looking at each team’s roster and start to the 2011 season, I think that the Diamondbacks are not going to compete this year because they have a young team with new management and it is going to take time for them to get settled in. The other four teams in the division are going to battle for the title.
I think that the Padres are going to finish third with 85 wins. Even though the Padres won 90 games last year, there has many changes to the 25 man roster and they lost their best player from last year (Adrian Gonzalez). The San Francisco Giants are going to win the National League West because they are the defending World Series Champions who have experience, pitching, and a solid lineup that can produce runs.
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