This was intended to be the year of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They signed one of the greatest baseball players of all time to a record $700 million deal. The Dodgers spent another $325 million to bring over Japan’s greatest pitcher. Los Angeles traded for a top-tier starter.
The Dodgers were ideally poised to win their second championship since 2020. However, this is not the year Shohei Ohtani and his teammates will raise a championship trophy above their heads.
Here are four reasons why the Dodgers won’t win the World Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers Rotation In Rough Shape
The Dodgers’ postseason would look very different if they had any healthy starting pitchers. They won’t have Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, Dustin May, or Gavin Stone, among others.
They’re depending on trade acquisition Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto (who was injured for three months this season), and Walker Buehler, who has a 5.38 ERA after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
They’ll have a difficult time stopping the San Diego Padres offense in the NLDS.
What Will The Dodgers Outfield Look Like?
Outside of Teoscar Hernandez, the Dodgers’ outfield produced little offensively in 2024.
Hernandez ranked second on the club with 33 home runs and finished with 99 RBI. Eight other outfielders combined for just 37 blasts this season, with center fielder Andy Pages leading the way with 13.
It will be difficult to rely on any of the outfield hitters, other than Hernandez, in the playoffs.
How Healthy Will Freddie Freeman Be?
During the Dodgers’ series against the Padres last week, slugging first baseman Freddie Freeman suffered a twisted ankle. He did not travel with the Dodgers for the last two regular-season games against the Colorado Rockies.
Freeman stated that his ankle resembles a grapefruit, which does not sound particularly pleasant. However, manager Dave Roberts says Freeman is improving and should be ready for Game 1 on Saturday.
However, it is unclear how effective Freeman will be.
How Will Shohei Ohtani Fare In His First Postseason Appearance?
Shohei Ohtani is the best player we have ever seen. He’s on track to earn his third MVP award following his most recent historic season, which saw him become the first player in history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season.
In addition to 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases, Ohtani hit.310, scored 134 runs, drove in 130, had a 1.036 OPS, and a 190 OPS+. He also accumulated a 9.2 WAR while serving as a designated hitter the whole season due to his inability to pitch following Tommy John surgery.
Despite his success, this is Ohtani’s first appearance in the playoffs. Could the strain get to him? Will he feel like he has to carry the Dodgers if the offense struggles? What happens if his bat becomes cold? This postseason will help define Ohtani, good or poor.
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