Our Monday/Friday National League West updates will not be published after today unless the Padres score a run.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Weekend opponent: Cubs (starters Ray, Greinke, Miller)
Chris Owings has started three of the first four games in center field, and manager Chip Hale seems to like the way Owings is fielding the position. This doesn't mean we'll see Owings every day, but for now, the hope of Socrates Brito getting starts versus all righties is unlikely. The Cubs will start three righthanders in Arizona this weekend, so we'll know more soon. Remember that Owings carries 2B eligibility, which makes him worthy of ownership in most leagues if he's going to play.
Speaking of the D-backs center field situation, the Arizona Republic reports that we should hear more about A.J. Pollock's prognosis after a Saturday checkup.
Did you hate seeing Rubby De La Rosa get lit up on Thursday? We don't want to panic after one bad start, but Archie Bradley threw six shutout innings at Triple-A Reno on Thursday night.
Not a bad first series, Jean Segura. Not bad at all.
Colorado Rockies
Weekend opponent: Padres (starters Lyles, De La Rosa, Bettis)
What's the over-under on Trevor Story homers this weekend? Let's set it at 4.5. Also, listen to the podcast near the top of this page for a discussion between Craig Mish and me regarding selling high on Story.
One thing to watch this weekend is Coors Field's taller right-field fence, which has been more than doubled to 16 feet, six inches. Better hit the ball high, Carlos Gonzalez.
The Rox hope that Friday's starter, Jordan Lyles, can be a workhorse. Lyles is only 25, still throws hard enough and induces a lot of ground balls. He also pitches half his games a mile above sea level, so you don't want to bet on him for fantasy purposes.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Weekend opponent: at Giants (starters Stripling, Kershaw, Kazmir)
Twenty-six-year-old rookie Ross Stripling is the Dodgers fifth starter because four other guys got hurt. Minor League Ball says Stripling a"classic number four starter type with low-90s fastball and assorted secondaries." It's fine to grab him in an NL-only league if you still can, but don't expect miracles, and don't get too attached. Stripling probably won't kill your ERA between now and the time he gets replaced in the rotation.
C Yasmani Grandal (forearm) and 2B Howie Kendrick (calf) are still expected to be activated from the DL in time for Tuesday's home opener. However, manager Dave Roberts says that A.J. Ellis will start behind the plate Tuesday even if Grandal is active.
Are we allowed to get excited about Yasiel Puig yet? He's 8-for-15 with a homer and six runs scored. MVP!
San Diego Padres
Weekend opponent: at Rockies (starters Rea, Pomeranz, Ross)
How do you bolster an offense that got shut out in its first three games? Sign James Loney! The Padres have reportedly inked the former Rays 1B to a minor-league deal. If Loney joins the Padres, it could move Wil Myers back to the outfield, send Melvin Upton Jr. to the bench, and make it harder for Jabari Blash to get any playing time.
Lefty Drew Pomeranz thinks he's a different pitcher than he was with the Rockies, now with a more diverse arsenal. Pomeranz is an interesting fantasy starter, but should be avoided at Coors in daily lineup leagues.
San Francisco Giants
Weekend opponent: Dodgers (starters Cain, Bumgarner, Cueto)
McCovey Chronicles checked in on the pros and cons of Jeff Samardzija's first start as a Giant.
Matt Cain got started late this spring because he had a cyst removed from his upper right arm. Cain made three spring appearances and maxed out at five innings, so he's unlikely to go deep into Friday's game.
> Continue Reading More Fantasy Baseball Divisional Notebooks
