The NL West has been by far the worst division in the Major leagues this season. Since the D’Backs hot start, no team on the Left coast has been a consistent winner. They’re still in first place, but their paltry 2 ½ game lead over the Dodgers is, like the division, pathetic.

The .458 winning percentage of the NL West cannot be blamed solely on the San Diego Padres. That would be a cop out. With no team more than three games above .500, the division is a model of blasé baseball, a factory of mediocrity. Normally, such a terrible playoff race would be disregarded, but the division’s top two teams, the D’Backs and Dodgers, have something going for them: some quality players.

Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson, Derek Lowe, Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, Stephen Drew, and Matt Kemp are the young and old stars fighting for a playoff spot.

Before the arrival of Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers averaged 18 home runs a month. In August, they hit 34. After a horrendous eight game losing streak, LA steadied itself with three consecutive victories whilst the D’Backs muddled along in NL West fashion. Pitching was never the problem in LA and now the hitters appear back on track.

Arizona is still a mystery. Their pitching has been strong all season. The bullpen is solid at 4.10 ERA. The starters are a bit better, being anchored by Haren and Webb. Despite lukewarm hitting with RISP, the D’Backs offense is good enough to run away with the division. Their only obvious flaw is a tendency to strikeout. David Eckstein, recently acquired to replace the injured Orlando Hudson at second base, might provide a spark, but he seems like a risky gamble more than a good bet.

September should see these teams, who are loaded with both veterans and young players, make the NL West race as interesting as the other two divisions. Arizona and LA have one series left against each other, to be played this weekend at Chavez Ravine. It could decide the fate of the division, as all the best pitchers will be starting (if you haven’t heard of him, get familiar with Chad Billingsley of the Dodgers. He’s fantastic). Neither squad are playing any teams above .500 after that, so the Rockies, Padres and Giants have a chance to play spoiler against one or the other.

The Mets are fending off the Phils at the moment and the Brewers are keeping it interesting in the Central, but don’t forget the NL West race this month. The records fly in the face of the talent. Remember, anything can happen in the playoffs. And no one, least of all the most cursed team in baseball, is a sure bet.