Pitching is best in NL West

You may not have noticed because of the East Coast media bias, but …

Did you see where seven of the 13 National League All-Star pitchers are from the NL West?

Without a doubt, the best overall pitching in MLB resides in the NL West.

For proof, check out the All-Star pitchers from the division:

Heath Bell, San Diego Padres: Leads the NL with 23 saves. Anybody in San Diego still think he can’t replace Trevor Hoffman?

Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles Dodgers: Among four pitchers tied for second in the league with nine wins.

Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers: Leads all MLB relievers with 65 strikeouts, averaging near 15 strikeouts per nine innings.

Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants: Tied with teammate Tim Lincecum for the NL’s best winning percentage (.818) with a 9-2 record and third in the league in ERA (2.48)

Dan Haren, Arizona Diamondbacks: His 2.16 ERA leads the league; and he’s even 8-5 with an Arizona team that is 25-44 when he doesn’t figure in the decision.

Tim Lincecum, Giants: The 2008 NL Cy Young winner is tied with teammate Cain for best NL winning percentage and is second in ERA (2.23).

Jason Marquis, Colorado Rockies: OK, how many of you actually know that Marquis is tied for the major-league lead with 10 wins?

There’s no question that pitching is best in the NL West.

Jonathan Broxton, Heath Bell are lights out

Apparently, somebody has gotten through to closers Jonathan Broxton of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Heath Bell of the San Diego Padres.

Both look to be as dominant as anybody coming out of the bullpen in 2009.

Bell is 8-for-8 in save opportunities with a 0.00 ERA; Broxton is 6-for-6 with a 2-0 record and 0.90 ERA.

What makes both men tick?

Each is big and powerful with the ability to blow away hitters. And that’s what both are doing thus far.

Somebody on both ends must have told these two closers to quit nibbling around the plate and just get the job done quickly.

A year ago as set up men, each seemed to be trying to be too fine in often working to full counts on batters. Now, each bruiser seems to be going right after people with strike one, strike two and strike three.

Broxton is near 300 pounds; Bell has dropped about 20 pounds to 225. Each is a terror on the mound when going right after hitters, which is going to spell relief for the Dodgers and Padres.

In LA, Broxton is replacing Takashi Saito. Bell has taken over in San Diego for all-time MLB saves leader Trevor Hoffman.

Broxton will likely be pitching in the playoffs this year. Bell’s team will probably finish last or next-to-last.

But when it comes to individuals, you won’t find two more up-and-coming closers than Broxton and Bell.

Did Dodgers kick Broxton off the bus?

You’ve heard of people throwing teammates under the bus, but how about throwing somebody off the bus?

According to eyewitnesses, that’s what happened to Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jonathan Broxton after he blew a save last Thursday in San Diego.

The situation: Broxton allowed five runs in the bottom of the ninth as the Padres scored an unlikely 6-5 win over the Dodgers.

Later, as Broxton approached the bus, some teammates took note.

“They started shaking their fingers at him as if to say ‘no,’” said an eyewitness. “Then they closed the door and the bus took off.”

Broxton then had to hail a cab for the long ride home to Los Angeles, witnesses said. He wasn’t far behind teammates Nomar Garciaparra and Luis Gonzalez, who rode home in the comfort of a limo.

See if Broxton ever blows a four-run lead again!