Noah Dougherty –

NL West: 1. Giants, 2. Dodgers, 3. Diamondbacks, 4. Padres, 5. Rockies

NL Division Winners: Braves (best record), Reds, Giants

Wild Cards: Nationals and Dodgers

World Series: Angels over Reds in six games

MVP: Matt Kemp

Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw

Rookie of the Year: Adam Eaton

Justin Upton was a popular pick for our writers. I wonder why? Image: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

NL West: 1. Diamondbacks, 2. Giants, 3. Dodgers, 4. Padres, 5. Rockies

NL Division Winners: Braves, Pirates, Diamondbacks

Wild Cards: Giants and Nationals

World Series: Angels over Braves in five games

MVP: Justin Upton

Cy Young: Ian Kennedy

Rookie of the Year: Gerrit Cole

Chris Lacey –

NL West: 1. Giants, 2. Diamondbacks, 3. Padres, 4. Dodgers, 5. Rockies

NL Division Winners: Nationals, Reds, Giants

Wild Cards: Diamondbacks and Cardinals

World Series: Diamondbacks over Tigers in six games

MVP: Adam Eaton

Cy Young: Wade Miley

Rookie of the Year: Adam Eaton

Tom Lynch:

NL West: 1. Giants, 2. Diamondbacks, 3. Dodgers, 4. Padres, 5. Rockies

NL Division Winners: Phillies, Cardinals, Giants

Wild Cards: Reds, Brewers

World Series: Reds over Rays

MVP: Joey Votto

Cy Young: Cole Hamels

Rookie of the Year: Julio Teheran

J. Levi Burnfin:

NL West: 1. Diamondbacks, 2. Dodgers, 3. Giants, 4. Padres, 5. Rockies

NL Division Winners: Nationals, Cardinals, Diamondbacks

Wild Cards: Braves, Reds

World Series: Braves over Rays in six games

MVP: Justin Upton

Cy Young: Stephen Strasburg

Rookie of the Year: Shelby Miller

What are your predictions? Your guess is as good (probably better) as ours!

July 15, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill (2) is forced out by Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney (15) in the first inning at Wrigley Field. Image: David Banks-US PRESSWIRE

This was not the way to come out of the All Star Break.

The Diamondbacks are reeling again, this time after getting swept in Chicago by the NL Central  fifth place Cubs.   About the only good thing that came out of this weekend’s series was another Aaron Hill home run. Other than that, it was one wretched weekend.  Here is all you need to know about what took place:   3 runs in 3 games at the “friendly confines” of Wrigley Field against a team that was 19 games under .500 at the break.   You can understand the lack of offense against Ryan Dempster who has been great in 2012.  But what about the other 21 innings in which he didn’t pitch?     Ugh.

Now they are off to Cincinnati to play the Reds who are on fire after just sweeping the Cardinals and leap frogging over the Pirates into first place.   Cincinnati is riding a six game winning  streak and look poised to go on a big run.   With Jason Kubel missing the last two games with a hamstring injury, this is the wrong time for the struggling D-Backs to face Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and company.   As they have many times already this season, Arizona turns to rookie Wade Miley to stop the bleeding.   The lefty has been outstanding so far this season, in fact you can argue he has been the team’s MVP thus far. 

The D-Backs have shown to be a resilient bunch.  Just look at the series before the break.  They were swept at home by the Padres lost the first game against the Dodgers, then finished strong winning three in a row.  This team is so unpredictable that even a sweep of the Reds is not out of the question.  A dominating performance by Trevor Bauer on Tuesday?  Sure, why not.

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