The Los Angeles Dodgers have something to prove this year, and they spent $1 billion in free agency to get it done. The end of the 2023 season was a disaster in LA. After winning 100 games, they were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the division series. This year is hard to describe. This team has three of the top four MVP candidates, and Shohei Ohtani does not have the best odds in his own lineup. Only a World Series title will work. “It’s just an exciting time for the Dodgers,” Freddie Freeman said. “So yes, it’s not winning the offseason. We’ve got to go out there and play, and we know that.” It may be the most exciting, anticipated Dodger season since Mookie Betts landed in LA.
The Dodgers Pitching Staff
The team had an offseason like no other. It’s hard to judge which new member of the pitching staff was the biggest news for the Dodgers. First, the Dodgers traded for Tyler Glasnow and then signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a record 12-year, $325 million deal. He’s just 25 and didn’t have a great spring, but no one has expressed any concern about Yamamoto. LA legend Clayton Kershaw was a free agent but decided to return to Dodger Stadium. He had surgery in the offseason and won’t be ready to pitch until mid-season. Plus, they’re getting Walker Buehler back after a Tommy John surgery. That’s the only question about the staff and the entire team: will it be able to stay healthy?
The Dodgers had a top-three bullpen in baseball last season with a 3.42 ERA, finishing behind the Yankees and the Milwaukee Brewers. There are not many changes in the pen. Evan Phillips will be the closer.
That Lineup, Wow…
Mookie Betts | SS |
Shohei Ohtani | DH |
Freddie Freeman | 1B |
Will Smith | C |
Max Muncy | 3B |
Teoscar Hernandez | LF |
James Outman | CF |
Jason Heyward | RF |
Gavin Lux | 2B |
There aren’t many leaks in that boat. Betts, Ohtani, Freeman, and Smith are like bringing out the lineup card in the All-Star Game every night. Ohtani did have elbow surgery in the off-season and will not pitch this year.
The only questions for this team are on defense. They’re getting Gavin Lux back. He blew out his knee in a spring game last year and is reported to be 100%. Manager Dave Roberts put him at SS and Mookie Betts at second when camp opened. But Lux has the yips and was throwing everything into the dirt near first base. So Roberts moved Betts to short and Lux back to second. It’s a new position for Mookie, one he had rarely played in his professional career, and Lux has to be able to throw the ball.
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