Dodgers Sit As National League Favorite As Spring Training Heats Up

2019 resulted in another stinging playoff exit for the Los Angeles Dodgers. How many more of these tough losses can they take?

After an offseason being haunted by the decision to go with Clayton Kershaw out of the bullpen (to blwo the lead and series against the Washington Nationals), the Dodgers will again try to get off the mat. They still haven’t won it all since 1988 and the restlessness can be felt throughout Los Angeles.

The good news is they’ve made some bold moves in the offseason, include the acquisition of 2018 American League MVP Mookie Betts. With him and David Price coming over, do the Dodgers finally have the pieces they need to go all the way? It’s championship or bust for the Dodgers this year.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS ODDS

TO WIN WORLD SERIES: +400
TO WIN NL PENNANT: +160
REGULAR SEASON WIN TOTAL: 101.5

OFFSEASON CHANGES

The Dodgers made some smaller acquisitions, such as relief pitchers Blake Treinen and Jimmy Nelson. They also traded Kenta Maeda, a starter who – in the playoffs – provided short relief work. However, those small acquisitions paled in comparison to the megadeal the Dodgers pulled off: They sent super-prospect Alex Verdugo and two other high-profile prospects plus cash to the Boston Red Sox, in exchange for Mookie Betts and David Price. The Dodgers’ own physicians knew that Verdugo was physically limited, and the Red Sox’ doctors should have been able to make the same determination and void the trade. Yet, the Red Sox’ medical team didn’t do its job. The Dodgers unloaded an injured young player and got a superstar – Betts – plus a durable veteran pitcher (Price) who will eat up hundreds of innings this coming season. The Dodgers upgraded their team in a big way. Now is the time to apply their advantages on the field.

IF THINGS GO RIGHT…

The Dodgers will win it all. The Dodgers and the New York Yankees both have loaded lineups with quality starting pitching and good back ends of bullpens. They have a lot of the same strengths. Somehow, they haven’t met in a World Series these past few years, usually because the Yankees haven’t been able to get there. Last year, neither team got that far, but it is felt throughout baseball that it is long past due for the Yankees and Dodgers to meet in late October. On paper, the two teams are the best in their respective leagues. Now they just have to prove it.

IF THINGS GO WRONG…

The Dodgers will find a way to stumble in the playoffs. Making the playoffs has not been hard at all for the Dodgers. They’re again the heaviest favorite to win their division (at -900). They’ll be expected to get to the postseason; it’s winning in the playoffs that has been hard.

To take that next step forward, the Dodgers will have to do slightly better in the starting pitching department (is Kershaw someone they can rely on in the postseason) and the batting lineup will have to deliver in October. If Kershaw’s playoff past haunts him, the bats don’t do enough and the bullpen is shaky, some other team will again beat the Dodgers to the ring.

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