The Los Angeles Dodgers started last year a bit slow, but when they turned it on they really turned it on as they finished the regular season on a 62-28 run, while winning the NL West. The Dodgers lost to St Louis in the NLCS, but they are back and ready to take the nest step this year. Vegas odds have the Dodgers at -300 to win the NL West, +275 to win the NL Pennant and +550 to win the World Series.
Last year the Dodgers finished 17th in the league in runs scored (649), 24th in homers (138) and 6th in the league in batting average (.264). The Dodgers had a ton of offensive injuries last year or their overall numbers would have been better. This year they come in a healthy team and we should see that with an increase in their offensive production. Yaisel Puig had a huge first year and most are excited to see what he will do in a full year of action. Carl Crawford is back this year and healthy and after those two at the top of the lineup it’s gets downright scary, with Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez and Matt Kemp all capable of having monster years. It doesn’t stop there either, as Juan Uribe and AJ Ellis are both solid hitters and capable of double digit homers like they both had last year. Aso figuring for some starts this year will be Andre Ethier who hits for average and ha power. This offense is helthy now and that also makes them scary because there are no easy outs on it.
As if the offense wasn’t frightening enough, now you’ll have to face a staff that may be the best in the league this year, after ranking 2nd in the league in ERA (3.25) a year ago. Clayton Kershaw headlines this staff, after going 16-9 last year with a 1.83 ERA. Zach Greinke is next, and provided he stays out of early season brawls he will be an integral part of this staff and capable of a huge season. Rounding out what may be the best 1 st three starters on any team in the league is Hyun-Jin Ryu, who went 14-8 with a 3.00 ERA last year. Dan Haren, who was signed in the off-season and Josh Beckett should round out the 5 man rotation for the Dodgers. Chad Billingsley will also be in the mix when he returns in May. The bullpen was very good last year and will be even better this year, with Kenley Jensen as the closer and a former closer, Brian Wilson as the setup man. This team may not lose a game all year if the have a lead after the 7th inning.
Outlook: This may be the most complete team in the league. Last year it was mostly about their pitching, Puig and Gonzalez, but now the offense is fully healthy and will catch up to the pitching. Remember they went 62-28 in their last 90 games last year with not a whole lot of offense, so what will they do this year with the offense much closer to their pitching, in terms of production. This team should be a lock for the NL West title and I will also call for them to waltz in and take the World Series title as well. This is a very, very good team.
Info gathered from FoxSports.com and CBSSports.com
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