We’ve all read and heard about “east coast bias.” Whether you think it’s because the Yanks and Sox are so conducive to media coverage or because time zones simply make watching left coast games all but impossible, there is a certain tilt towards “back” east. Be that as it may, I’m not sure the guys I’m writing about are even noticed outside their local markets, much less their coast.

That maybe because their division is terrible. If were from Wisconsin, I wouldn’t want to see these teams on TV despite certain talents. But the best young pitchers, and probably team pitching in general, is in the NL west. These guys lead the way.

Chad Billingsley, 23, of the Dodgers started poorly, but has since ripped off some brilliant starts. He’s given up two or fewer runs in ten starts so far this year and has gone 8-3 since starting the year 0-4. His ERA as of today is a strong 3.12, with opponents hitting a meager .232 against him. Better yet, Billingsley is a power pitcher who stays away from the long ball; opponents have hit only seven HRs in 104 innings pitched despite reliance on two fastballs and a 12 to 6 curve. This is always a good sign for the future of a young starter. His 107 strikeouts rank seventh in league just behing Johan Santana. “His Thighness” is the nickname given to Billingsley by bloggers for certain quadricep reasons. The most obvious result of these “royal” thighs is not only good speed on the fastball, but the ability to push the game through to the late innings. He’s been huge for the “resurgent” Dodgers and is the best young starter in the division aside from Tim Lincecum.

Tim Lincecum is, frankly, where it’s at. The Giant right hander’s stuff is filthy to the core. To give you an ideal of the effectiveness of this homely, 170 pound kid, I provide this random stat: batters are hitting a putrid .232 against him with 49Ks to 15BBs after the count is 2-2. He can do this because his offspeed pitches, (new) slider, change up, and curve, are killing left handers a la Randy Johnson. The league leader in Ks with 122, Lincecum is sports a 10-1 record on an offensively challenged team. Furthermore, he’s doing this while dominating on the road. No San Francisco love for this guy, he has a meager .750 winning percentage at home (3-1) to go with a 7-0 road record. With only five HRs surrendered (all at home), Lincecum is the best out west and possibly in baseball. I hope he dazzles in New York.

Dan Haren joins Brandon Webb on the All-Star team representing the Arizona Diamondbacks. This guy had a killer season last year with Oakland, but, like so many were before him and droves will be after, was a victim of his own success in Oakland. In Arizona, this guys gets to feast on NL lineups (at the very least one less real hitter per nine PAs) and pitch in Dodger Stadium, Pac Bell, and Petco Park. He’ll have great numbers this year barring a collapse. Unlike the previous two starters in this rundown, Haren is most dominant on his first trip through the lineup. His longevity relies on the fact that he walks fewer and stirkes out near as many (7 to 1 Ks to BB) as Lincecum and Billingsley. Haren is better than the reigning NL Cy Young award winner Brandon Webb and has a shot at it this year. His fastball, splitter, and curve are all top quality. That, and the defense behind him is pretty good. WIth Arizona’s offense struggling mightily, he’ll have to be just as good over the second half to assure the division title.

It’s a down year for the Padres previously remarkable pitching, but they could well come back on form. As of now, this division will be decided on pitching; whether that means that Colorado’s is too poor to snag the division or whether LA’s or Arizona’s hold up better. Sorry Giants fans, but I just can’t give your boys a shot at this one. Both the NL central and NL west have some remarkable pitchers this season, though these three guys are guaranteed to impress for years to come.