Division Update: NL West

In order to keep you up to date on the goings on of all the divisions around the league, we will be providing a bi-weekly update on each division.

And…we’re back.  We haven’t been keeping up with these updates since the All-Star Break so we have a lot of divisions to update since I assume you only get your baseball information from us.  Since we last updated you on the NL West, they have become one of the best divisions in the NL.  They’ve got a W/L differential of +8 and a run differential of +18 both of which are the best in the League.  The Giants and Rockies are leading the Wild Card race and the Snakes have played .500 ball since early June.  Oh, and the Dodgers are the best team in the NL.  This division is no longer the laughing stock of the league.  Except the Padres.  Can’t defend the Padres.

The Hef Award (Best Hitter of the Month): Since bumping into him a few weeks ago in Sedona, Miguel Montero has been on a tear.  He’s hitting .378/.410/.689 in the month of July with 5 HRs and 8 doubles.  He’s also somehow learned how to not completely suck behind the plate which is almost certainly temporary.  But in the meantime, congratulations on finally living up to the offensive hype.

The Clown Award (Worst Hitter of the Month): Does someone need a nap?  A rest?  Some time to let his sore muscles heal?  Apparently it’s Adrian Gonzalez who has fallen off the table in the month of July.  In 75 ABs, Gonzalez has hit .160/.304/.240 with only 1 HR and 3 doubles (compared to 25HRs and 12 2Bs on the season).  During the first half of the season he was making a push at an MVP candidate.  Since then he’s fallen out of the running.  I think he’ll pull it together eventually but he’s played like crap this month.

The Dan Haren Award (Best Hitter of the Month): Congratulations, Dan Haren.  You’ve earned it once again.  In four July starts (28 IP), he’s posted an ERA of 1.94 with a WHIP of .964.  That’s right, in 28 innings he’s allowed 23 hits and 4 walks.  Oh, on a side note, this is his third best month of the season so far.  June and April were better.

The Bad Pitcher in July Award (Worst Pitcher of the Month): Congratulations, Chad Billingsley.  Another surprising name in the suck column but not too shocking considering his age, Billingsley has been awful in July.  In four starts (20.2 innings pitched) he’s given up 16 ER on 25 hits and 5 walks.  His WHIP isn’t ridiculous but the fact that hes giving up one HR per five innings pitched is never a good sign.  I imagine it might do him some good to rest his arm as he’s already at 133 IP this year.