Right now, it’s difficult to predict the winner of the National League West because three teams are off to hot starts. Through at least eight games, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Diego Padres, and the San Francisco Giants are staking their claim for the division title.
The defending World Series champions are off to a 9-1 start, with their only loss coming against the Philadelphia Phillies. Meanwhile, the Giants have won seven of their first eight games. The Padres are at 7-2, keeping the race tight.
It’s the first time in Major League Baseball history that three teams in a division started 7-1 or better through eight games. Likewise, it’s only the second time in league history that three teams in the same league started 7-1 or better through eight games. The first it occurred was in 2003 when the New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, and the then-Oakland Athletics had the same start in the American League.
However, it’s too early to tell how this competition will end because each team still has over 150 regular season games left. Injuries and slumps may occur, resulting in losses. If these teams can sustain this pace, baseball fans are in for a treat.
-Lance Fernandez