With the start of the 2019 season rapidly approaching, I believe it’s time that we give you the ultimate breakdown of each division and predict their position in the standings come season’s end. It’s hard to predict record, so we’ll just give you their placement in the standings. Of course, this is coming from a fan’s perspective and what we think it could look like, not what it will. Today, we focus on the National League West and the Los Angeles Dodgers:
Los Angeles Dodgers
2018 record: 92-71, 1st in NL West
Projected Lineup:
2B Chris Taylor
SS Corey Seager
3B Justin Turner
1B Max Muncy
RF Cody Bellinger
CF A.J. Pollock
LF Joc Pederson
C Austin Barnes
Pitcher
Starting Rotation:
LH Clayton Kershaw
RH Walker Buehler
LH Hyun-Jin Ryu
LH Rich Hill
RH Kenta Maeda
Key Bullpen Pieces:
RH Kenley Jansen
RH Joe Kelly
RH Pedro Baez
Key Bench Pieces:
UTL Kike Hernandez
IF David Freese
C Russell Martin
After 6 consecutive division titles and back to back NL Pennants, the Dodgers look to make 2019 the year they can finally get their first World Series title since 1988 and their 2019 team will be quite similar to their 2018 squad. With the trade of Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp to Cincinnati, it opened up a whole in the OF the Dodgers needed to fill, which they did with the signing of A.J. Pollock. Although, many see this as a bit of a risk since Pollock has not played more than 120 games in a single season since his All Star 2015 year. He did, however, bat .257 with 21 home runs and an OPS of .800 last year. If he is able to remain healthy, he could be an impact to an already exceptional Dodger lineup. Not to mention, Corey Seager, who played just 26 games in 2018 before receiving Tommy John and hip surgery, will be back. The 2x All Star is expected to make an immediate difference for LA at the top of that order.
Although Clayton Kershaw is the Dodgers top pitcher, I’d give the ace status to Walker Buehler heading into 2019 simply due to the unfortunate injuries that have struck Kershaw in recent years. Buehler finished 3rd in the NL Rookie of the Year last year, pitching to a 2.62 ERA, 151 strikeouts and a FIP of 3.04. I’m telling you, expect a Cy Young caliber season from him this upcoming season.
The back end of the bullpen was already set with Kenley Jansen, one of the best in the game, but now pair him with newly signed reliever Joe Kelly and that’s a pretty good 8th and 9th inning combination. Although Kelly did not have a great regular season, he was able to turn it around in the postseason. In 8 games, including all 5 in the World Series, Kelly pitched to a 0.697 WHIP with 13 punch outs in 11.1 innings.
With a lot of pieces returning and a few new ones coming in, along with their 6 straight NL West crowns, the Dodgers are again seen as the top contender and are anticipated for a 7th division title in as many years.
2019 prediction: 1st in NL West
