NL West

With the Arizona Diamondbacks, versatility is the key for their lineup and their new general manager Kevin Towers made it a priority during the offseason to supply manager Kirk Gibson with a strong, versatile bench filled with “do what it takes” kind of players who can play any position and are competent as starting players.

"Panda" went on a much needed diet, and the effects are showing. Sandoval has come out on a tear, leading the team with a .440 average. He also leads the team with a.481 OBP and 11 hits. 

Sandoval, like a few Giants, may be playing this season with a chip on his shoulder after he was benched during the playoffs and didn't contribute much. Sandoval had an average of .268 last season after hitting .330 in his first full major league season. 

The San Francisco Giants are going to have many decisions to make in the outfield. Cody Ross will return from a torn calf injury in less than two weeks. The biggest decision of all may be what to do with outfielder Aaron Rowand. 

Aaron Rowand hits game-winning single in the bottom of the 12th inning and goes 2-for-3 in Giants' 5-4 win.

Looks like things have not changed much since last year.

The San Francisco Giants continued their victorious but torturous ways, as a sellout crowd at AT&T Park witnessed one of the greatest, yet weirdest games baseball fans will ever see.

On a cold and rainy night in Pittsburgh, the Pirates downed the Colorado Rockies 4-3 in 15 innings. 

Yes, Franklin Morales gave up a walk-off RBI double to José Tabata. Though it may be harsh, let's face facts. They're still the Pirates. (Don't worry, Pirates fans. You get kudos later—keep reading.)

The same Pirates who haven't had a winning season in almost two decades. Manny Ramirez wasn't even playing in the majors the last time they rose above .500.

There were a few concerns for the Colorado Rockies, the team that many experts picked as the favorite to unseat the defending world champion and division rival San Francisco Giants.

One week into the 2011 season, those expectations don't seem too out of reach. 

With all the positives that this season could potentially bring, there are, of course, some things the team still needs to work on.

As many people know already, the San Francisco Giants will be receiving their World Series rings tomorrow prior to their 10:05 PM EST start against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. The Giants scuffled to start the season 2-4 on the road and now look to bounce back at home and get their season underway.

The Colorado Rockies are the overwhelming favorite of baseball writers to win the 2011 NL West crown.  With a collection of young players who possess an excellent combination of speed and power, the Rockies will certainly score a bunch of runs this year. Despite an excellent offense, the club will need a solid performance from their pitching staff to dethrone the defending champion San Francisco Giants. 

After three straight six-win seasons, Aaron Harang and the Cincinnati Reds parted ways this offseason. The 6'7", 250-pound hurler signed with his hometown San Diego Padres.

They're calling in the Calvary at Dodger Stadium,  This on the heels of a San Francisco Giants fan getting attacked by LA Dodgers fans in the parking lot following a Dodgers-Giants game.