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Armed, dangerous

Excellent starting pitching is hallmark in tough NL West

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 15, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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Brandon Webb

Brandon Webb

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Brad Penny

Jake Peavy

Jake Peavy

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Barry Zito

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With more than a decade of exposure to the National League West, Rockies first baseman Todd Helton understands the challenge.

"There are no days off," he said. "Every game, every team in the division, runs a starting pitcher out there who can control the game. And most of these guys are young. It's not like they are on their last legs."

Even the Rockies have gotten into the middle of things.

Their rotation ERA was highest in the division last year - 4.58 - but that ranked ninth in the 16-team National League.

That's right, the NL West teams had five of the nine lowest rotation ERAs in the NL. The NL Central - with the Cubs and Milwaukee - and NL East - with the Mets and Atlanta - each had two of the top nine.

San Diego led the NL with a 4.11 rotation ERA, a benefit from playing home games at Petco Park, the most pitcher-friendly in the majors. Arizona (4.23) and San Francisco (4.24) finished third and fourth, with the Dodgers (4.43) sixth.

And as good as the NL West rotations were last year, there's reason to think they will be even better this year.

A look at the starting rotations the Rockies will face in the NL West this season:

Arizona

* 2007 rotation: 60-53, 4.23 ERA, third-best rotation ERA in NL.

* Projected rotation: RHP Brandon Webb, RHP Dan Haren, LHP Randy Johnson, LHP Doug Davis and RHP Micah Owings.

* The question: Johnson, 44, is recovering from a third back surgery. If he gets sidelined, the alternatives are RHPs Edgar Gonzalez and Yusmeiro Petit.

* Say goodbye: RHP Livan Hernandez, who was 11-1 with a 4.93 ERA and pitched 2041/3 innings last year, signed a $5 million free-agent contract with Minnesota.

* Welcome: Haren was acquired from Oakland for six players, including five of the top 12 prospects in the Arizona system.

* On the rise: RHP Max Scherzer, a first-round draft pick in 2006. Debuted in 2007, appearing in 17 games at high Single-A Visalia (Calif.) and Double-A Mobile (Ala.) last season, going 6-3 with a 3.28 ERA, 106 strikeouts and 42 walks in 90 innings.

L.A. Dodgers

* 2007 rotation: 58-61, 4.43 ERA, sixth-best rotation ERA in NL.

* Projected rotation: RHP Brad Penny, RHP Derek Lowe, RHP Hiroki Kuroda, RHP Chad Billingsley and RHP Jason Schmidt.

* The question: Schmidt is coming off major surgery. If he can't go, the Dodgers would turn to RHP Esteban Loaiza, who they are paying $7 million as a waiver claim from Oakland.

* Say goodbye: LHP Randy Wolf, who was 9-9 with a 4.13 ERA before undergoing minor shoulder surgery, signed with San Diego; LHP Mark Hendrickson, who was 4-8 with a 5.31 ERA in 15 starts and 24 relief appearances, signed with Florida; Brett Tomko, who was 2-11 with a 5.80 ERA, was released in August.

* Welcome: Kuroda, 33, was 12-8 with a 3.56 ERA for Hiroshima last year. He pitched 12 years for the Carp in his native Japan.

* On the rise: LHP Clayton Kershaw, a first-round draft pick in 2006. He was 8-7 with 2.09 ERA between low Single-A Great Lakes (Mich.) and Double-A Jacksonville (Fla.).

San Diego

* 2007 rotation: 59-49, 4.11, lowest rotation ERA in NL.

* Projected rotation: RHP Jake Peavy, RHP Chris Young, RHP Greg Maddux, LHP Randy Wolf and RHP Mark Prior.

* The question: Wolf is coming off shoulder surgery that cut his 2007 season short, and injuries have limited Prior to 57 appearances the past three years, including nine last year with the Cubs when he was 1-6 with a 7.21 ERA. Justin Germano is the alternative.

* Say goodbye: LHP David Wells was released in August after going 5-8 with a 5.44 ERA in 22 starts.

* Welcome: Wolf, with Los Angeles last year, and Prior, with the Cubs last year, are low-guarantee gambles on potential.

* On the rise: RHP Wade LeBlanc, a second-round draft pick in 2006. Was 13-8 with 2.96 ERA between high Single-A Lake Elsinore (Calif.) and Double-A San Antonio last year.

San Francisco

* 2007 rotation: 51-58, 4.24 ERA, fourth-best rotation ERA in NL.

* Projected rotation: RHP Matt Cain, RHP Tim Lincecum, LHP Barry Zito, LHP Noah Lowry and RHP Kevin Correia.

* The question: Correia has been more effective in relief. Alternate would be Brad Hennessey, but he converted to bullpen last year and was more consistent.

* Say goodbye: RHP Matt Morris was 7-7 with a 4.35 ERA in 21 starts last year before being traded to Pittsburgh, which for some reason picked up his $10.5 million guarantee for 2008 and also sent CF Rajai Davis to the Giants.

* Welcome: There are no new faces in the rotation.

* On the rise: The Giants don't have a pitcher in their top 30 prospects who started at the Double-A or Triple-A level last year.

Reporting dates

Eight major league teams reported to spring training Thursday. The other key dates:

* American League

Pitchers/ Full Team Catchers Squad

Baltimore - Tuesday

Boston Saturday Feb. 22

Chicago Saturday Thursday

Cleveland Saturday Thursday

Detroit Today Wednesday

Kansas City - Tuesday

Los Angeles Today Wednesday

Minnesota Monday Feb. 23

New York Today Wednesday

Oakland - Thursday

Seattle - Wednesday

Tampa Bay Today Wednesday

Texas Today Wednesday

Toronto Today Thursday

* National League

Pitchers/ Full Team Catchers Squad

Arizona Saturday Feb. 21

Atlanta Today Wednesday

Chicago - Tuesday

Cincinnati Sunday Wednesday

Colorado Today Feb. 23

Florida Monday Thursday

Houston - Tuesday

Los Angeles Today Wednesday

Milwaukee Sunday Feb. 23

New York Saturday Wednesday

Philadelphia - Tuesday

Pittsburgh Today Wednesday

St. Louis Today Tuesday

San Diego Today Wednesday

San Francisco - Tuesday

Washington Sunday Feb. 22