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    NCAA tournament: UCLA women overwhelmed by No. 1 South Carolina
    • March 25, 2023

    GREENVILLE, S.C. — Aaliyah Boston had eight points, 14 rebounds and two blocks while reigning national champion South Carolina turned in its latest overwhelming defense-and-rebounding-first performance to beat UCLA 59-43 on Saturday in the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

    Kamilla Cardoso added 10 points for the Gamecocks (35-0), the top overall tournament seed and the headliner in the Greenville 1 Region. It marked South Carolina’s 41st consecutive victory, securing the program’s sixth trip to the Elite Eight under Dawn Staley.

    The Gamecocks will play for their fifth trip to the Final Four in Monday’s regional final against 2-seed Maryland in a rematch from the season’s opening week. South Carolina won that game 81-56.

    It wasn’t an easy offensive operation for South Carolina, with UCLA sagging defensively to pack the paint in hopes of negating the Gamecocks’ size advantage behind Boston. But South Carolina dominated the glass from start to finish and used its length to turn every look into a difficult one for the fourth-seeded Bruins (27-10).

    South Carolina won the first meeting with UCLA 73-64 in November, with the Bruins shooting 32% in that game. Things got worse this time, with UCLA going shooting 29% – including 3 for 18 from 3-point range.South Carolina also finished with a 42-34 rebounding advantage that narrowed late with the outcome no longer in doubt.

    Charisma Osborne scored 14 points to lead UCLA, which was in the Sweet 16 for the eighth time. The Bruins were trying to reach the regional finals for the first time since 2018 and only the third time in program history while pursuing their first Final Four appearance.

    But in a sign of what was to come, the Bruins kept missing shots that they needed to position themselves for a stunning upset. Worse, they failed to grab even a few of those misses to keep possessions alive early, with South Carolina going on to finish with a 15-8 edge on the offensive glass.

    Meanwhile, the Gamecocks were able to just keep grinding and relying on their length. They led 25-15 at halftime before finally breaking this open by matching their game-long point total in the third quarter.

    That included a couple of way-too-familiar sequences for UCLA coach Cori Close. Twice the Gamecocks managed to lob a pass inside to the 6-foot-7 Cardoso, who used her long arms to reach over 6-2 fronting defender Christeen Iwuala and snag the ball for easy under-the-rim finishes in traffic.

    Or there was Brea Beal (10 points) using her right hand to tap out a loose rebound over Gabriela Jaquez before securing it, then dumping it immediately inside to Victaria Saxton inside for a soft hook as the lead steadily grew.

    It was all the same often-demoralizing sequences that has overwhelmed teams all season, this time coming with the home-state Gamecocks as the main draw here in the new double-regional format.

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    They drew loud cheers from the crowd just for making their way into the locker-room tunnel during the Notre Dame-Maryland game with their game to follow. The roars returned as each player who lingered to wrap up pregame shootaround came off the court – several waving two arms high in acknowledgement – in a mostly full arena.

    The cheers were louder, of course, as the Gamecocks spent the final minutes closing out a win to advance again.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Phil Nevin says Angels’ closer ‘depends what the game dictates’
    • March 25, 2023

    TEMPE, Ariz. — Although right-hander Carlos Estévez has been widely expected get the first crack at the Angels’ closer job, some mystery will remain until the first save situation.

    “I was asked who would you use on the first night,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said Saturday. “I don’t know yet. It depends what the game dictates.”

    The Angels signed Estévez to a two-year, $13.5-million deal in December. The official word at the time was only that he would have a chance to close. Estévez said winning that job was his goal.

    Estévez, 30, had a 3.47 ERA last season with the Colorado Rockies, and his history shows signs that he should be even more effective out of the hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field. Last year, he struck out 10.8 hitters per nine innings on the road, compared with 6.3 at home.

    In his first spring with the Angels, Estévez has been experimenting with different pitch usage, so it remains to be seen how he’ll perform when the games are real.

    Estévez has allowed nine earned runs in 6 1/3 innings in big-league exhibition games. On Tuesday, he pitched a scoreless inning with three strikeouts, but he gave up a run in an inning Saturday.

    In the Tuesday game, Estévez threw nine fastballs, seven changeups and three sliders. Last season, he threw his fastball 70% of the time and his changeup and slider about 15% each, indicating that he may still have been experimenting.

    If the Angels don’t use Estévez to close, the other most likely options are Ryan Tepera and Jimmy Herget.

    Nevin was notably flexible with his closer choices last year after Raisel Iglesias was traded.

    “If I bring it (lefty) Aaron Loup in the seventh and they throw up a bunch of righties to face him and they don’t have anybody else, Jimmy Herget is great against righties,” Nevin said. “Estévez is great against righties. Matt Moore has been great against righties. We’ll just kind of play it out see how it goes, but (Estévez) is definitely going to get some big outs late in the game most of the year for us.”

    RODRIGUEZ UPDATE

    Right-hander Chris Rodriguez threw 30 pitches in a live batting practice session, his second such workout in the week. He had not faced hitters since before he underwent shoulder surgery in 2021.

    Nevin said the next step for Rodriguez will likely be another live batting practice session, and then they could have him pitch in a minor-league or simulated game.

    “That’s two outings in a row he felt good and was able to get his numbers up and the velo up, the shape’s up,” Nevin said. “Everything looks good on him. Obviously it’s the next day there’s always some nervous anticipation. Hopefully he feels good tomorrow and he can do it again in a couple of days.”

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    NOTES

    Infielder David Fletcher was originally in the lineup at shortstop for the Angels’ final Cactus League game, but he was a late scratch because of abdominal tightness. …

    Right-hander Chris Devenski decided to remain with the Angels in the minors. The veteran was in camp on a minor-league deal, and he had the option to declare himself a free agent if the Angels didn’t add him to the roster by Saturday. …

    The Angels released right-hander Nash Walters and outfielder Luis Barrera.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Sammy Howlin helped lift Fullerton College to state title after agonizing recovery from car crash
    • March 25, 2023

    The Fullerton College men’s basketball team recently captured its fifth state championship.

    Had it not been for the contributions of 6-foot-11 sophomore Sammy Howlin, particularly through the postseason run, Fullerton would have fallen short, Hornets coach Perry Webster said.

    Howlin, a 2019 La Habra High graduate, pulled down 10 rebounds, his third highest rebound total of the season, and had a blocked shot to help preserve Fullerton’s 83-73 victory over San Francisco in the CCCAA championship game March 12 at West Hills College in Lemoore.

    In the Hornets’ 75-63 victory over East Los Angeles in the semifinals two days earlier, Howlin, 21, had seven points, five blocked shots and a season-high 13 rebounds.

    He started all 33 games this season, leading the team in rebounds and blocked shots.

    “Without him, we have no chance of winning the state championship,” Webster said.

    Fullerton College coach Perry Webster, right, said 6-foot-11 sophomore Sammy Howlin, left, played a big role in the team winning the state community college championship on March 12. ‘Without him,’ Webster said, ‘we have no chance of winning the state championship.’ Webster pulled down 10 rebounds and made a key block late in the title game. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

    Actually, the Hornets nearly were without Howlin this season.

    Howlin is not only fortunate to be playing basketball, but fortunate to be alive.

    A little after 11 p.m. on May 4, 2021, Howlin and his friend and former La Habra teammate, Ja’len Overstreet, had just finished playing some pickup ball.

    Days earlier, the Hornets had returned to the gym for spring practice ahead of the 2021-22 season.

    Howlin had transferred to Fullerton after playing his first college season at Jessup University in Rocklin.

    Overstreet was driving his 1999 Chevy Impala, with Howlin in the passenger seat.

    As they drove west through the intersection of Lambert and Harbor Boulevard, the Impala was T-boned on the passenger side by a 22-year old drunk driver who drove through a red light.

    The Impala spun around and careened into a large pickup truck.

    Howlin was knocked unconscious and had to be extricated from the car by paramedics.

    His lungs were punctured and he had to be intubated with a breathing tube.

    He sustained a fractured pelvis, numerous fractured ribs, a broken left thumb, broken collar bone and a fractured orbital bone in his face.

    Overstreet received severe burns on the lower part of his body.

    “I just remember being in the ambulance not being able to breathe because my lungs were both popped,” Howlin said. “Next thing I know I woke up three days later in the hospital.”

    Howlin spent several weeks in the hospital and was confined to a wheelchair and then could only get around with a walker.

    He underwent multiple surgeries to repair his lungs and the numerous broken bones.

    At that point, returning to the basketball court was an uncertainty.

    The pain was unbearable at times.

    “I had to suck up whatever emotion I had and get him to focus on good things,” said Michele Howlin, Sammy’s mother. “Have him focus on the family that loves him, on God. Just whatever I could do to help him to redirect.”

    Because of the injuries, Howlin was granted a medical redshirt, allowing him to remain eligible at Fullerton for the 2022-23 season.

    When he rejoined the Hornets in spring 2022, Howlin was wracked with trepidation.

    He knew playing again would involve playing through pain.

    “I just had a lot of nerves coming into this season,” he said. “The whole time I was wondering if I was going to be the same.”

    Fullerton’s Sammy Howlin, right, went through a long and painful recovery process after being severely injured in a car crash in 2021, but he emerged as a key player for the Hornets as they won the community college state title for the 2022-23 season. (Photo courtesy of Aaliyah Skipper)

    Webster said Howlin was holding his own during open gyms at Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine, but he would be hurting the next day.

    “I wasn’t going to get any better unless I felt the pain in my pelvis,” Howlin said. “I wasn’t going to run again unless I felt the pain. Everything was going to require sacrifice. I was just thinking suffering equals success and it helped me this season.”

    Howlin went on to start every game for the Hornets and didn’t miss a single practice.

    “I know his body didn’t feel 100 percent every day, but he battled through it,” Webster said. “Sammy really loves basketball and what the accident did was take basketball away from him and he came back to realize that that it is what he loves to do, that is what he wants to do.”

    Howlin is currently considering offers to play basketball at a four-year university.

    He’s not sure if he’ll play ball beyond college, but said if nothing else, basketball will pay for his education.

    Howlin is also willing to share his story publicly, talking about the dangers of drunk driving and the perseverance it took to recover.Faith played a major role as well, Michele Howlin said.

    “Everything that has happened with Sam is just what God has done for him,” she said. “We were there for Sam but he is just a miracle.”

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    4 homes flooded after water main breaks in San Clemente
    • March 25, 2023

    Four homes in San Clemente were flooded Friday night, March 24, after a water main broke on a residential street, authorities said.

    Orange County firefighters were called to the 600 block of Via Presa about 11:15 p.m. and found flooding, Capt. Thanh Nguyen said.

    Firefighters called San Clemente Public Works to help shut off the water, Nguyen said. The amount of damage to the four houses was not known.

    Residents were briefly evacuated, Nguyen said, but it wasn’t known if any were displaced.

    Video from OnSceneTV showed standing water inside one home, while residents in others were seen pushing water either out of the front door or into the garage. The video also showed water appearing to come through the break in a yard and gushing toward the residential street.

    Whether Public Works had fixed the water main or was still making repairs was not immediately known as of 1 p.m. on Saturday.

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    Orange County baseball standings: Saturday, March 25
    • March 25, 2023

    Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

    Orange County high school baseball standings through Friday, March 24

    TRINITY LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    Santa Margarita
    7-1
    10-2

    Mater Dei
    7-2
    10-5-1

    Orange Lutheran
    4-5
    9-6-1

    JSerra
    4-5
    7-6

    Servite
    3-5
    7-7

    St. John Bosco
    1-8
    5-11

    SURF LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    Huntington Beach
    2-1
    8-6

    Los Alamitos
    1-1
    11-2

    Fountain Valley
    1-1
    4-7

    Corona del Mar
    0-1
    7-7

    WAVE LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    Edison
    1-0
    6-5

    Newport Harbor
    1-0
    6-6

    Marina
    0-1
    5-9

    Laguna Beach
    0-1
    3-6-1

    SOUTH COAST LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    Capistrano Valley
    2-0
    7-4

    Tesoro
    2-0
    6-5

    Mission Viejo
    0-2
    8-4

    Dana Hills
    0-2
    2-10

    SEA VIEW LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    El Toro
    2-0
    5-8

    San Clemente
    1-0
    8-2

    Trabuco Hills
    0-0
    6-4

    San Juan Hills
    0-1
    3-8

    Aliso Niguel
    0-2
    2-8

    PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    Northwood
    7-1
    8-2

    Woodbridge
    10-2
    12-3

    Laguna Hills
    5-4
    8-4

    Beckman
    3-4-2
    5-5-2

    University
    3-4-1
    6-4-1

    Irvine
    3-5-1
    4-6-1

    Portola
    2-6
    4-7

    Sage Hill
    1-8
    3-9

    ORANGE COAST LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    Costa Mesa
    3-0
    12-1

    Estancia
    5-1
    12-2

    Calvary Chapel
    3-1
    8-4

    Orange
    3-1
    6-5

    Santa Ana
    2-4
    4-7

    Saddleback
    0-4
    1-10

    St. Margaret’s
    0-5
    0-8

    ORANGE LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    Century
    4-0
    10-3

    Savanna
    3-0
    7-1-1

    Magnolia
    2-2
    6-5

    Anaheim
    0-2
    4-8

    Santa Ana Valley
    0-2
    2-6

    Western
    0-3
    1-8

    CRESTVIEW LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    El Dorado
    2-1
    8-6

    Villa Park
    2-1
    9-2

    El Modena
    1-2
    9-4

    Foothill
    1-2
    7-5

    NORTH HILLS LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    Yorba Linda
    1-0
    6-7-1

    Canyon
    1-1
    7-5

    Esperanza
    1-1
    5-6

    Brea Olinda
    0-1
    5-4

    GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    Ocean View
    1-0
    9-6

    Segerstrom
    1-0
    1-7-2

    Westminster
    0-0
    8-1

    Garden Grove
    0-0
    8-3

    Katella
    0-1
    4-9

    Godinez
    0-1
    1-7

    EMPIRE LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    Cypress
    5-0
    10-4

    Pacifica
    0-0
    11-2

    Crean Lutheran
    0-0
    9-3

    Valencia
    0-1
    2-8

    Kennedy
    0-2
    6-6-1

    Tustin
    0-2
    1-12

    FREEWAY LEAGUE

    Overall

    La Habra

    7-1-2

    Fullerton

    8-3

    Sunny Hills

    7-3-1

    Buena Park

    7-4-0

    Troy

    7-4-1

    Sonora

    7-6

    GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    Loara
    3-0
    4-4

    Santiago
    3-1
    4-5

    Los Amigos
    3-2
    6-4

    Bolsa Grande
    1-2
    3-7

    La Quinta
    1-3
    3-7

    Rancho Alamitos
    1-4
    2-7

    SAN JOAQUIN LEAGUE
    League
    Overall

    Calvary Chapel/Downey
    4-0
    6-4-1

    Western Christian
    3-0
    4-1

    Pacifica Christian
    3-2
    5-3

    Fairmont Prep
    4-3
    4-4

    The Webb Schools
    3-4-1
    3-4-1

    Tarbut V’Torah
    1-3
    1-3

    Avalon
    0-2
    1-3

    Southlands Christian
    0-4-1
    1-5-1

    Capistrano Valley Christian
    0-0
    6-7

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Angel City FC’s Alyssa Thompson ready for NWSL debut
    • March 25, 2023

    Alyssa Thompson is in an interesting position.

    The 18-year-old is in her senior year at Harvard-Westlake, but was also the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft for her hometown team Angel City FC.

    She still has classes to take while also embarking on her professional soccer career.

    “I’m taking three online classes and then I’m going to school for one class,” she said. “With school, it’s definitely an adjustment. I’m still adjusting.”

    Her work on the field and training ground has opened the eyes of her new coach.

    “I’ve been very impressed with her,” Angel City FC coach Freya Coombe said. “I’ve been impressed with her ability to adjust to playing professionally. She’s obviously got a lot on her plate with finishing up school, but she’s doing a great job of coming in and training consistently at a high level.”

    The preseason camp was long enough for Thompson to go away with the U.S. U-23 national team for games in France, where she scored two goals. In her home debut in an exhibition earlier this month, Thompson scored in a friendly against Club America.

    She admitted to having nerves on the way to the game, but certainly didn’t look it.

    “It looked like she had played in 100 games in this stadium,” Coombe said of Thompson. “The occasion didn’t put her off … she looked threatening all night.”

    Now comes the real season. Thompson and Angel City FC kick off the 2023 campaign Sunday against NJ/NY Gotham FC at BMO Stadium (6 p.m., Paramount +).

    “Preseason, overall has been a really good one,” she said. “It’s helped me a lot to get into pro mode and being able to be with the girls and them being able to teach me everything, like recovery and just getting acclimated to the environment.

    “Being able to play with older players since I was younger has helped me be to where I am today. Now, it helps me mature both on and off the field. I feel like soccer is one part of my day and then I get to go with my friends and be with them, so I don’t feel like I’m always with older people. That’s why I think it’s so important that I get to go to school still and be with people my age. I still want to be an 18-year-old and I still want to be with my friends. I appreciate both experiences and it has helped become the person that I am.

    Thompson is on everybody’s list of players to watch this season. She enters into a situation where Angel City will certainly take whatever production she provides. Savannah McCaskill led Angel City with seven goals last season after never scoring more than in a season since debuting in the league in 2018. The team is still waiting for Sydney Leroux (ankle) and Christen Press (ACL) to return from injuries.

    The last two attacking players in the NWSL to win Rookie of the Year scored six goals in their season.

    “I don’t want to place expectations on players,” Coombe said. “I think it’s about her coming into our team and contributing to our success. I think that can be done in a number of ways, but in the terms of goals that I’m expecting from her or anything like that, I’m not going to set particular numbers or goal benchmarks on that … but it’s coming in and making a positive contribution to the team.”

    If there is a team that Thompson could have landed on, being home is the best option. She is surrounded by her family and her sister Gisele, a junior at Harvard-Westlake, was also a trialist during training camp with Angel City.

    Aside from scoring goals, Thompson’s personal goals are simple.

    “I just want to keep developing and playing at the highest level that I can,” she said. “Working to maybe be on the World Cup roster, that’s a goal for me, and to just continuing to grow as a player.”

    ACFC defender and captain Ali Riley also attended Harvard-Westlake and then went to Stanford. Heading to Stanford was Thompson’s initial plan until she decided to turn professional.

    “We know so many of the same people from the soccer world in Los Angeles, it is so exciting having her,” Riley said. “To be here, we’re going to support her. And looking at the diversity of the team and how much representation we have, the visibility for young girls to come from L.A, such a diverse city, who come to our game, will really think, ‘This is who I want to be, I see myself in her.’ And be able to dream. And that is so important.

    “I think she’s really going to embrace this experience and really inspire a lot of young people.”

    And when not serving as a role model for hopeful youth players, Thompson could pose a problem for opposing teams.

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    “I don’t think players we play against will necessarily know how to defend her,” Riley said. “I think there will be a lot of eyes watching her. She is so composed, she’s so mature, such an exciting player, and it is cool to have this impressive, young talent playing at home in L.A. on this team.”

    NJ/NY Gotham FC at Angel City FC

    When: 6 p.m. Sunday

    Where: BMO Stadium

    TV: Paramount+

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    2023 MLB Predictions: SCNG staffers call their shots
    • March 25, 2023

    Members of the Southern California News Group try to predict how the 2023 baseball season will play out, from division races (in predicted order of finish) to the postseason and who will collect the key awards.

    — JEFF FLETCHER (Angels beat reporter) —

    AL West: Astros, Angels, Mariners, Rangers, A’s

    AL Central: White Sox, Guardians, Twins, Royals, Tigers

    AL East: Blue Jays, Yankees, Rays, Orioles, Red Sox

    NL West: Padres, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Giants, Rockies

    NL Central: Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs, Pirates, Reds

    NL East: Braves, Phillies, Mets, Marlins, Nationals

    AL wild-card teams: Yankees, Angels, Mariners

    NL wild-card teams: Dodgers, Phillies, Mets

    POSTSEASON

    ALCS: Blue Jays over Astros

    NLCS: Padres over Braves

    World Series: Padres over Blue Jays

    AWARDS

    AL Cy Young: Luis Castillo (Mariners)

    AL MVP: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)

    AL Rookie of the Year: Gunnar Henderson (Orioles)

    NL Cy Young: Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks)

    NL MVP: Juan Soto (Padres)

    NL Rookie of the Year: Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks)

     

    — BILL PLUNKETT (Dodgers beat reporter) —

    AL West: Astros, Angels, Mariners, Rangers, A’s

    AL Central: Guardians, White Sox, Twins, Royals, Tigers

    AL East: Blue Jays, Yankees, Orioles, Rays, Red Sox

    NL West: Padres, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Giants, Rockies

    NL Central: Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs, Pirates, Reds

    NL East: Braves, Phillies, Mets, Marlins, Nationals

    AL wild-card teams: Yankees, Angels, Mariners

    NL wild-card teams: Dodgers, Phillies, Mets

    POSTSEASON

    ALCS: Astros over Blue Jays

    NLCS: Braves over Padres

    World Series: Braves over Astros

    AWARDS

    AL Cy Young: Jacob deGrom (Rangers)

    AL MVP: Mike Trout (Angels)

    AL Rookie of the Year: Gunnar Henderson (Orioles)

    NL Cy Young: Max Fried (Braves)

    NL MVP: Manny Machado (Padres)

    NL Rookie of the Year: Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks)

     

    — J.P. HOORNSTRA (MLB reporter/columnist) —

    AL West: Astros, Mariners, Angels, Rangers, A’s

    AL Central: White Sox, Guardians, Twins, Royals, Tigers

    AL East: Blue Jays, Yankees, Rays, Orioles, Red Sox

    NL West: Dodgers, Padres, Diamondbacks, Giants, Rockies

    NL Central: Cardinals, Cubs, Brewers, Pirates, Reds

    NL East: Mets, Braves, Phillies, Marlins, Nationals

    AL wild-card teams: Yankees, Guardians, Mariners

    NL wild-card teams: Padres, Braves, Phillies

    POSTSEASON

    ALCS: Blue Jays over Astros

    NLCS: Mets over Dodgers

    World Series: Blue Jays over Mets

    AWARDS

    AL Cy: Alek Manoah (Blue Jays)

    AL MVP: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)

    AL Rookie of the Year: Masataka Yoshida (Red Sox)

    NL Cy Young: Julio Urias (Dodgers)

    NL MVP: Austin Riley (Braves)

    NL Rookie of the Year: James Outman (Dodgers)

     

    — JIM ALEXANDER (Columnist) —

    AL West: Astros, Angels, Rangers, Mariners, A’s

    AL Central: Twins, Guardians, White Sox, Royals, Tigers

    AL East: Blue Jays, Yankees, Orioles, Rays, Red Sox

    NL West: Padres, Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks, Rockies

    NL Central: Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs, Pirates, Reds

    NL East: Phillies, Braves, Mets, Marlins, Nationals

    AL wild-card teams: Yankees, Guardians, Angels

    NL wild-card teams: Dodgers, Braves, Mets

    POSTSEASON

    ALCS: Yankees over Astros

    NLCS: Dodgers over Padres

    World Series: Dodgers over Yankees

    AWARDS

    AL Cy Young: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)

    AL MVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)

    AL Rookie of the Year: Gunnar Henderson (Orioles)

    NL Cy Young: Joe Musgrove (Padres)

    NL MVP: Nolan Arenado (Cardinals)

    NL Rookie of the Year: Miguel Vargas (Dodgers)

     

    — MIRJAM SWANSON (Columnist) —

    AL West: Astros, Angels, Mariners, Rangers, A’s

    AL Central: Twins, Guardians, White Sox, Tigers, Royals

    AL East: Blue Jays, Yankees, Rays, Orioles, Red Sox

    NL West: Padres, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Giants, Rockies

    NL Central: Cardinals, Cubs, Brewers, Pirates, Reds

    NL East: Braves, Mets, Phillies, Marlins, Nationals

    POSTSEASON

    AL wild-card teams: Blue Jays, Angels, Mariners

    NL wild-card teams: Dodgers, Cubs, Mets

    ALCS: Blue Jays over Astros

    NLCS: Padres over Dodgers

    World Series: Padres over Blue Jays

    AWARDS

    AL Cy Young: Gerrit Cole (Yankees)

    AL MVP: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)

    AL Rookie of the Year: Gunnar Henderson (Orioles)

    NL Cy Young: Sandy Alcantara (Marlins)

    NL MVP: Juan Soto (Padres)

    NL Rookie of the Year: Miguel Vargas (Dodgers)

     

    — KEVIN MODESTI (Staff Writer) —

    AL West: Astros, Rangers, Mariners, Angels, A’s

    AL Central: Guardians, White Sox, Twins, Royals, Tigers

    AL East: Blue Jays, Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, Orioles

    NL West: Padres, Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks, Rockies

    NL Central: Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs, Pirates, Reds

    NL East: Braves, Phillies, Mets, Marlins, Nationals

    AL wild-card teams: Yankees, Rays, Rangers

    NL wild-card teams: Phillies, Mets, Dodgers

    POSTSEASON

    ALCS: Astros over Blue Jays

    NLCS: Padres over Braves

    World Series: Padres over Astros

    AWARDS

    AL Cy Young: Jacob deGrom (Rangers)

    AL MVP: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)

    AL Rookie of the Year: Anthony Volpe (Yankees)

    NL Cy Young: Spencer Strider (Braves)

    NL MVP: Juan Soto (Padres)

    NL Rookie of the Year: Kodai Senga (Mets)

     

    — TODD BAILEY (MLB Editor) —

    AL West: Astros, Angels, Mariners, Rangers, A’s

    AL Central: Guardians, Twins, White Sox, Tigers, Royals

    AL East: Blue Jays, Yankees, Rays, Orioles, Red Sox

    NL West: Padres, Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks, Rockies

    NL Central: Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs, Pirates, Reds

    NL East: Braves, Mets, Phillies, Marlins, Nationals

    AL wild-card teams: Yankees, Angels, Mariners

    NL wild-card teams: Dodgers, Mets, Phillies

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    POSTSEASON

    ALCS: Astros over Yankees

    NLCS: Padres over Braves

    World Series: Padres over Astros

    AWARDS

    AL Cy Young: Cristian Javier (Astros)

    AL MVP: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)

    AL Rookie of the Year: Hunter Brown (Astros)

    NL Cy Young: Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks)

    NL MVP: Manny Machado (Padres)

    NL Rookie of the Year: Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks)

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    2023 NL West season preview
    • March 25, 2023

    Capsule previews of the NL West teams, listed in order of their 2022 finish:

    DODGERS

    2022: 111-51, first place, lost to San Diego in NLDS

    Manager: Dave Roberts (eighth season)

    Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Arizona

    He’s Here: RHP Noah Syndergaard, OF/DH J.D. Martinez, INF Yonny Hernandez, OF Jason Heyward, RHP Shelby Miller, RHP J.P. Feyereisen

    He’s Outta Here: SS Trea Turner, 3B Justin Turner, OF Cody Bellinger, LHP Tyler Anderson, OF Joey Gallo, INF Edwin Rios, OF Kevin Pillar, RHP Trevor Bauer, LHP Andrew Heaney, RHP Tommy Kahnle, RHP Craig Kimbrel, RHP Chris Martin, LHP David Price

    Top Hitters: 1B Freddie Freeman (.325, 21 HRs, 100 RBIs, .918 OPS, 117 runs, 47 doubles, 199 hits), OF Mookie Betts (.269, 35, 82, .873 OPS, 117 runs, 40 doubles), C Will Smith (.260, 24, 87, .808 OPS), INF Max Muncy (.196, 21, 69, .713 OPS)

    Projected Rotation: LH Julio Urías (17-7, 2.16 ERA, 166 Ks), LH Clayton Kershaw (12-3, 2.28), RH Noah Syndergaard (10-10, 3.94 with Angels and Phillies), RH Dustin May (2-3, 4.50 in six starts), RH Ryan Pepiot (3-0, 3.47 in 9 games, seven starts)

    Key Relievers: LH Alex Vesia (5-0, 2.15 ERA, 1 save, 79Ks), RH Evan Phillips (7-3, 1.14, 2 saves, 77 Ks), RH Brusdar Graterol (2-4, 3.26, 4 saves), RH Shelby Miller (0-1, 6.43, 14 Ks, 7 innings in four games with Giants)

    Outlook: After winning a franchise-record 111 games and then losing in the NLDS, the Dodgers are eager to bounce back with a deep postseason run. However, they’ll start the season with injuries to some key players, mostly in the pitching ranks. Shortstop Gavin Lux (torn right ACL) is out for the year. All-Star right-hander Tony Gonsolin (16-1, 2.14 ERA, 199 Ks, all career bests) is on the 15-day IL with a sprained left ankle. Right-hander Blake Treinen is on the 60-day IL recovering from right shoulder surgery. Right-hander Daniel Hudson (torn left ACL) is making progress. All-Star right-hander Walker Buehler (Tommy John surgery) could possibly return late in the season. The team lost a big bat in All-Star Trea Turner, who went to Philadelphia. Also gone are stalwart Justin Turner and former MVP Bellinger. The Dodgers were more restrained in the offseason free-agent market than is their reputation and it could signal they are saving money to go after some big names next offseason.

    SAN DIEGO PADRES

    2022: 89-73, second place, lost to Philadelphia in NLCS

    Manager: Bob Melvin (second season)

    Opening Day: Thursday, vs. Colorado

    He’s Here: SS Xander Bogaerts, RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Seth Lugo, INF Matt Carpenter, DH Nelson Cruz

    He’s Outta Here: LF Jurickson Profar, LHP Sean Manaea, INF Brandon Drury, 1B Josh Bell, RHP Mike Clevinger, RF Wil Myers, RHP Pierce Johnson

    Top Hitters: 3B Manny Machado (.298, 32 HRs, 102 RBIs, .898 OPS), SS Xander Bogaerts (.307, 15, 73 with Boston), LF Juan Soto (.242, 27, 62 with Nationals and Padres), RF Fernando Tatis Jr. (.282, NL-high 42, 97, 25 SBs, .965 OPS in 2021; sat out last season due to injuries and suspension), 1B Jake Cronenworth (.239, 17, 88)

    Projected Rotation: RH Yu Darvish (16-8, 3.10 ERA), RH Joe Musgrove (10-7, 2.93), LH Blake Snell (8-10, 3.38), RH Michael Wacha (11-2, 3.32 with Boston), RH Nick Martinez (4-4, 3.47, 8 saves), RH Seth Lugo (3-2, 3.60 in 62 relief appearances with Mets)

    Key Relievers: LH Josh Hader (2-5, 5.22 ERA, 36 saves with Brewers and Padres), RH Robert Suarez (5-1, 2.27), RH Luis Garcia (4-6, 3.39), LH Tim Hill (3-0, 3.56)

    Outlook: The Padres have World Series expectations after a stirring run to the NLCS and an offseason in which owner Peter Seidler has been unafraid to spend big money. The team added Bogaerts on a $280 million, 11-year contract to a lineup that already included Machado and Soto. Tatis can return on April 20 when he finishes serving an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Tatis, an All-Star at shortstop in 2021, will move to right field and Soto to left. Besides adding Bogaerts, the Padres signed Machado to a new $350 million, 11-year contract and Darvish to a new $108 million, six-year deal.

    SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

    2022: 81-81, third place

    Manager: Gabe Kapler (fourth season)

    Opening Day: Thursday, at New York Yankees

    He’s Here: LHP Sean Manaea, OF Mitch Haniger, OF Michael Conforto, RHP Ross Stripling, LHP Taylor Rogers, OF Stephen Piscotty, C Blake Sabol, RHP Luke Jackson

    He’s Outta Here: LHP Carlos Rodon, 1B Brandon Belt, RHP Shelby Miller, 3B Evan Longoria, INF Tommy La Stella, LHP Jose Alvarez

    Top Hitters: OF Joc Pederson (.274, 23 HRs, 70 RBIs), OF Mitch Haniger (.246, 11, 34 with Mariners), OF Mike Yastrzemski (.214, 17, 57), OF Michael Conforto (.232, 14, 55 in 2021 for Mets), SS Brandon Crawford (.231, 9, 52)

    Projected Rotation: RH Logan Webb (15-9, 2.90 ERA), RH Alex Cobb (7-8, 3.73), LH Sean Manaea (8-9, 4.96 with Padres), RH Ross Stripling (10-4, 3.01 with Blue Jays), LH Alex Wood (8-12, 5.10)

    Key Relievers: RH Camilo Doval (6-6, 2.53 ERA, 27/30 saves), LH Taylor Rogers (4-8, 4.76, 31/41 saves with Padres and Brewers), RH Tyler Rogers (3-4, 3.57)

    Outlook: The Giants dropped by 26 wins from their surprising 2021 season and missed the playoffs last year. After making a run at Aaron Judge in free agency and agreeing to a deal with Carlos Correa that fell through when he failed a physical, San Francisco didn’t make many big impact moves this offseason. But the Giants are hoping that smaller additions like Haniger, Conforto, Manaea, Stripling and Taylor Rogers can get them back into playoff position in the tough NL West.

    ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

    2022: 74-88, fourth place

    Manager: Torey Lovullo (seventh season)

    Opening Day: Thursday, at Dodgers

    He’s Here: C Gabriel Moreno, 3B Evan Longoria, OF Kyle Lewis, OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., RHP Miguel Castro, RHP Scott McGough, LHP Andrew Chafin, RHP Jeurys Familia, RHP Cole Sulser

    He’s Outta Here: C/OF Daulton Varsho, OF Jordan Luplow, C/OF Cooper Hummel, LHP Caleb Smith, RHP Ian Kennedy

    Top Hitters: 1B Christian Walker (.242, 36 HRs, 94 RBIs, Gold Glove), 2B Ketel Marte (.240, 12, 52, 42 doubles), OF Corbin Carroll (.260, 4, 14 in 104 ABs), OF Jake McCarthy (.283, 8, 43, 23 SBs), INF Josh Rojas (.269, 9, 56, 23 SBs)

    Projected Rotation: RH Zac Gallen (12-4, 2.54 ERA), RH Merrill Kelly (13-8, 3.37), LH Madison Bumgarner (7-15, 4.88), RH Zach Davies (2-5, 4.09), RH Drey Jameson (3-0, 1.48 in four starts)

    Key Relievers: RH Mark Melancon (3-10, 4.66 ERA, 18 saves), RH Scott McGough (2-2, 2.35 in Japan), LH Joe Mantiply (2-5, 2.85, All-Star), RH Miguel Castro (5-0, 4.03 with Yankees), RH Cole Sulser (1-4, 5.29 with Marlins), LH Andrew Chafin (2-3, 2.83 with Tigers)

    Outlook: The Diamondbacks appear to be headed in the right direction with a speedy, young outfield of Carroll, McCarthy and Alek Thomas and a solid top of the rotation that includes Gallen and Kelly. Carroll is among the favorites to win the NL Rookie of the Year award after a stellar 32-game cameo in 2022. Depth is still an issue, particularly in the bullpen. Arizona is hoping to push for the playoffs for the first time since 2017, but it’s an uphill battle in a division that includes the free-spending Dodgers and Padres.

    COLORADO ROCKIES

    2022: 68-94, fifth place

    Manager: Bud Black (seventh season)

    Opening Day: Thursday, at San Diego

    He’s Here: OF/INF Jurickson Profar, RHP Pierce Johnson, LHP Brad Hand, LHP Brent Suter, RHP Connor Seabold, INF Mike Moustakas

    He’s Outta Here: INF/OF Garrett Hampson, OF/INF Connor Joe, RHP Scott Oberg, SS Jose Iglesias, RHP Chad Kuhl, RHP Carlos Estévez, RHP Alex Colomé, OF Sam Hilliard

    Top Hitters: 1B C.J. Cron (.257, 29 HRs, 102 RBIs), DH Charlie Blackmon (.264, 16, 78), 2B Ryan McMahon (.246, 20, 67), OF Kris Bryant (.306, 5, 14 in 42 games), OF Randal Grichuk (.259, 19, 73)

    Projected Rotation: RH Germán Márquez (9-13, 4.95 ERA, 150 Ks), LH Kyle Freeland (9-11, 4.53, 131 Ks), RH José Ureña (3-8, 5.14), LH Austin Gomber (5-7, 5.56, 124-2/3 innings), RH Ryan Feltner (4-9, 5.83) or RH Connor Seabold (0-4, 11.29 with Boston)

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    Key Relievers: RH Daniel Bard (6-4, 1.79 ERA, 34/37 saves), RH Pierce Johnson (1-2, 5.02 with Padres), RH Dinelson Lamet (1-2, 6.12 with Padres and Rockies), LH Brent Suter (5-3, 3.78 with Milwaukee), RH Justin Lawrence (3-1, 5.70), LH Brad Hand (3-2, 2.80, 5 saves with Philadelphia)

    Outlook: The Rockies are looking to avoid their first 100-loss season. Their projection is 64½ wins, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Colorado has been dealing with injury after injury this spring. Second baseman Brendan Rodgers is expected to miss the bulk of the season after sustaining a shoulder injury diving for a grounder in a game. Colorado outfielder Sean Bouchard also will miss significant time due to a biceps rupture. Relief pitcher Lucas Gilbreath underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the season. Colorado is counting on a return to form from Bryant, who didn’t hit a homer at Coors Field in an injury-marred season. Bryant is likely to switch from left to right field with the arrival of Profar from San Diego. Grichuk has been sidelined since undergoing surgery for a sports hernia in mid-February. Márquez and Freeland anchor the rotation. Bard was dependable in the closer’s role last year.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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