Fansided

Los Angeles Dodgers: 2017 MLB season preview

By Sarabeth Pollock

Jan 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the jerseys of retired Los Angeles Dodgers players Jackie Robinson (42), Roy Campanella (39), Sandy Koufax (32), Walter Alston (24), Jim Gilliam (19), Duke Snider (4), Don Drysdale (53), Pee Wee Reese (1), Tommy Lasorda (2) and Don Sutton (20) at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the jerseys of retired Los Angeles Dodgers players Jackie Robinson (42), Roy Campanella (39), Sandy Koufax (32), Walter Alston (24), Jim Gilliam (19), Duke Snider (4), Don Drysdale (53), Pee Wee Reese (1), Tommy Lasorda (2) and Don Sutton (20) at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Dodgers want to make a return trip to the postseason, but will injuries derail their plans of defending first place in the NL West?

The Dodgers made it to the National League Championship Series last season after taking control of the National League West. The past few years have been an ongoing battle for first place with the division rival San Francisco Giants. And since the Giants have a few World Series titles to their name over the past few years, the Dodgers are ready to be back in the spotlight.

This year may be a bit of a struggle for the Dodgers. They’re doing pretty well in Spring Training with a 16-14 record, but they’ve been hit with more injuries than anyone else in the NL West. With key players like first baseman Adrian Gonzalez dealing with elbow tendinitis and Corey Seager out with an oblique strain, some of the Dodgers power players are questionable for Opening Day. One upside is that the pitching staff is healthy and

At this point, staying healthy is a big “if” considering that they’re starting the season with some big injuries. If the Dodgers can overcome these early injuries, they can be a contender for first place once again.

Mar 23, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches during the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches during the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Pitching

The Dodgers have Clayton Kershaw (2016: 12-4, 1.69 ERA, 149.0 IP, 172 SO, 0.72 WHIP) ready to go in their rotation. He’s healthy and he has been posting some great numbers in Spring Training with a 2-1 record and 2.14 ERA after 21 innings of work.

Kershaw will be joined by Kenta Maeda, who is also doing well in Spring Training with a 2-1 record and 3.75 ERA with 12 innings. Maeda was 16-11 in 2016 with a 3.48 ERA and 175.2 innings. Maeda has been switching spots in the rotation with Rich Hill (2016: 12-5, 2.12 ERA, 110.0 IP, 129 SO, 1.00 WHIP) throughout Spring Training as they get ready for Opening Day. Kershaw is number one but Maeda and Hill can both go in the two or three spot.

After a two year absence from the starting rotation, Brandon McCarthy (2016: 2-3, 4.95 ERA, 40 IP, 44 SO, 1.38 WHIP) might be back in the rotation following his 2015 Tommy John surgery and less than stellar numbers in  2016. He also suffered a fractured skull back in 2012, so getting his spot back is a big deal. 

Mar 7, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Chris Taylor (3) slaps hands with Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) after scoring a run against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Chris Taylor (3) slaps hands with Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) after scoring a run against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Lineup

Predicting the Dodgers lineup this season is a bit tricky with those injuries. Adrian Gonzalez has been playing through his tendonitis with long rest periods while Corey Seager is recovering from an oblique strain suffered in early March but is expected to return for Opening Day.

Here’s a projection of what the lineup might look like for the 2017 season:

Catcher: Yasmani Grandal (2016: .228 AVG, 27 HR, 72 RBI, 1 SB, .816 OPS)

1B: Adrian Gonzalez (2016: .285 AVG, 18 HR, 90 RBI, 0 SB, .784 OPS)

2B: Logan Forsythe (2016: .264 AVG, 20 HR, 52 RBI, 6 SB, .778 OPS)

3B: Justin Turner (2016: .275 AVG, 27 HR, 90 RBI, 4 SB, .832 OPS)

SS: Corey Seager (2016: .308 AVG, 26 HR, 72 RBI, 3 SB, .877 OPS)

LF: Franklin Gutierrez (2016: .246 AVG, 14 HR, 39 RBI, 1 SB, .780 OPS)

CF: Joc Pederson (2016: .246 AVG, 25 HR, 68 RBI, 6 SB, .847 OPS)

RF: Yasiel Puig (2016: .263 AVG, 11 HR, 45 RBI, 5 SB, .740 OPS)

Gutierrez could be the one to replace Andre Ethier as he recovers from a herniated disc with no return projected.

Oct 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) celebrates with Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) after beating the Chicago Cubs in game three of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) celebrates with Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) after beating the Chicago Cubs in game three of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Bullpen

While the starting rotation has remained healthy, the bullpen has been dealing with a few injuries as well. Sergio Romo and Josh Ravin have missed a few games due to their injuries (Romo’s back and Ravin’s groin tightness) and Pedro Baez is starting to throw again after his thumb bruise.

Closer Kenley Jansen (2016: 1.83 ERA, 68.2 IP, 104 SO, 41 saves in 71 attempts) has thrown 4.1 innings in spring training so far and he’s ready to go after a strong showing at the World Baseball Classic.

Next: Check out our Dodgers site!

Lefty Adam Liberatore (2016: 2-2, 3.38 ERA, 42.2 IP, 47 SO, 1.20 WHIP) will likely be in the Dodgers ‘pen, as well as Grant Dayton (2016 debut: 0-1, 2.05 ERA, 26.1 IP, 39 SO, 0.76 WHIP).

There is still a lot up in the air about the Dodgers bullpen leading up to Opening Day, but it looks like the injuries are working themselves out before the start of the season.

Mar 25, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) lines up with his team for a dedication to a cancer patient during a spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) lines up with his team for a dedication to a cancer patient during a spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Manager

Dave Roberts is in his second season at the helm of the Dodgers. He led the team all the way to a 91-71 record and a first place finish in the NL West, good for a trip through the postseason to the NLCS.

Roberts has a lot of experience with the NL West, which has no doubt been pivotal in his success. Roberts worked with the Padres from 2011 to 2015 as the first base coach and the bench coach. He took over the team for one day after Bud Black (now with the Rockies) was dismissed, and then he was replaced by Pat Murphy, which allowed him to take the job with L.A.

Oct 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias (7) is relieved by manager Dave Roberts (30) in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs during game four of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias (7) is relieved by manager Dave Roberts (30) in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs during game four of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

X-Factor

It might be one giant cliche, but the Dodgers have a lot of trust in Clayton Kershaw’s ability to be an amazing starter, and for good reason. When Kershaw and the other guys in the rotation start a game hot, they don’t allow the other team to get on the board. With the opposing team held scoreless, the Dodgers power hitters can get on the board themselves and get the job done.

Mar 25, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger (61) and Yasiel Puig (66) talk before a spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger (61) and Yasiel Puig (66) talk before a spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Prediction

The Dodgers are going to have a rocky start to the beginning of the season as they work out their injuries and incorporate the injured guys back into the lineup. With those struggles, the Giants will have a chance to reclaim first place in the NL West.

That said, the Dodgers have a very strong shot at first place but will likely take up residence in second place. The injuries aren’t a huge issue during spring training, and they might not be an issue facing the San Diego Padres in the Opening Day series, but the injuries will catch up to them eventually.