2020 MLB SHOWDOWN SET --- NL WEST

 It's Friday you know what that means, time for another division of the 2020 set. This time we bring the NL West and the top two teams in this division are mighty impressive. I can't imagine the showdown battles that can be had with these teams. The other three teams bring on plenty of useable players and once again we see the depth of a division. The Dodgers are currently down 3-1 to the Braves in the NLCS, can they use this showdown squad to get this series back to a game 7. 

5. Arizona Diamondbacks 25-35

Lineup: Can't lie, I had some expectations for the D-Backs this year, maybe not to win the division, but to at least be in the thick of the chase for a wild card birth. Ketel Marte and Eduardo Escobar were stellar last year... but this year not so much. Adding in Starling Marte sounded like a fun start to a team, but sadly Marte was moved. Given those facts, it's not a surprise that the D-Backs truly struggled. This offense shows how putrid they were, although the speedy Locastro is sure to be a popular OF choice among drafters... like a slightly better 00 Rickey Henderson.

Rotation: The first two in the rotation make you feel good about the team, but three straight 10 point pitchers, including the legend MadBum, really show how this team struggled to stay in games this season.

Bullpen: The bullpen is pretty weak compared to most teams. Although the first two options are good, when you need the full team to get a win, it will be an adventure thanks to a putrid back line. 

4. Colorado Rockies 26-34

Batters: I love Raimel Tapia as a leadoff hitter. The out through 5 may scare some away, but he does everything with his card except homer, A speed, +2 outfield will make him tons of fun at the top of an order. Blackmon and Story keep their great cards streak alive since 2018, but sadly Nolan didn't join them. While he was still phenomenal with the glove as usual, but his offense dipped. We can say that is the short season's fault as he has proved he can be a good hitter..... however, you have to wonder if it dampens his potential trade value for Colorado if they decide to move his monster contract.

Rotation: The starters will need run support, but the first 3 starters can keep games close if they are having good days. Senzatela brings the 00 starter kit foil type of card to you team.

Bullpen: The bullpen isn't great, and you can see if the game is close when the starter leaves, this is where they will struggle to keep games on their winning side.

3. San Francisco Giants 29-31

Batters: If you like hitting this Giants lineup is for you -- Yaz, Belt, Slater and Dickerson bring some good charts to the team. Especially Yaz, who really has been living up to the name on the back of his jersey, The rest of the lineup is mediocre and you can see how they hovered around the .500 record range.

Rotation: Very mediocre rotation, 310 points is the most expensive person in the rotation and staying in games is going to take tons of great rolls on your behalf. 

Bullpen: A solid, but not outstanding bullpen can pick up the starters on a bad day, this team probably would have a better record if they didn't have to continuously play the Dodgers, A's and Padres.

2. S(lam)an Diego Padres 37-23

Batters: The moment we all been waiting for: Fernando Tatis Flippin Jr and his amazing card. What's not to like about this kid?? Manny Machado makes the left side of San Diego's infield an all-time great Showdown combination, perhaps for the next decade! In 2020, Wil Myers put up a super fun chart, but let's be real -- this team's whole lineup is deadly! I'd like to imagine over the next few years it is only going to get better, but it's hard to see them becoming even more complete than the squad o'studs they assembled in 2020 (no wonder they were on pace for 99.9 wins in a 162 game season). Seriously, they can put out a starting 9 without a SINGLE hitter being under 320 points, that's insane depth.

Rotation: This rotation is looking real good, and next year could be even better by adding Mackenzie Gore. But for 2020, Lamet was tremendous and so was Davies (imagine how good Milwaukee could have been with another Tier 2 starter and 380 pt Grisham in CF). Going out and trading for Clevinger didn't pay off this year because of his injury, but if he comes back healthy next season in Tier 2 no doubles form like 2019, this rotation will be extra deadly. Garrett Richards is okay, and Paddack sadly gave up the longball this year, but as a 5th starter he's better than most.

Bullpen: Once you see the bullpen, it's too late. These guys will come in and shut it down. Pomeranz was already a lights out closer, and then they go and add another tier 1, Trevor Rosenthal to the mix at the trade deadline. Playing out a playoffs type of series with this team sure would let you get the full feel of how good this team really is.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers 43-17

Batters: The best record in the Majors this season belonged to the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team that is in the thick of it every year lately, and added Mookie Betts to its already potent lineup. He was phenomenal for them, as is second year catcher Will Smith. Sadly Bellinger had a slow start to the season but this lineup can do a lot of damage. I also love the white uniforms with the Dodger blue background I think it looks so good. Also shout out to Justin Turner for having a great card like every year, always hovering around that 10 ob card. Oh yeah, this team was on pace to win 116.1 games, so of course they're absolutely STACKED!!

Side note -- I feel like the fun debate this year is whether you want Mookie or Tatis for 500 points! I'm picking Tatis for the extra double ;)

Rotation: A very strong rotation for the Dodgers, with some of the young arms making their debuts this season. Kershaw, like Turner always brings a stellar card, and like I said with the white jerseys and dodger blue popping, Dustin May accents it even better with that Red fro. Walker Buehler had some tough times with the HR on his chart, but he can still be relied upon to have a good game if you can avoid the 20s and at worst is their 5th starter.

Bullpen: The infamous Joe Kelly picture needed to be immortalized for all to see, and regardless of chart, which he has a good one anyways, is an Honorary foil for his series against the Astros this season. Getting to the bullpen is a good thing, but this Dodgers bullpen will make it very tough to beat this team and you can see how they won so many games this season. Great lineup, great rotation, and a strong bullpen. 

That is it for the NL West, who are your favorite cards, how about your favorite looking? As always leave some comments and keep the conversation going, excited to see who some would pick as their foils, as that has been a hot topic with this set. Has anyone printed off any of the cards yet and played with them?