5 reasons the Los Angeles Dodgers will win it all this year

2. Depth/Interchangeable Parts

Roberts has credited his players with accepting their roles in light of the greater good, as guys are generally placed up and down the lineup on a regular basis and sometimes find themselves out of the starting lineup if a matchup dictates it.

A look at the Dodgers’ roster shows a ton of versatility. Chris Taylor, Cody Bellinger and Enrique Hernandez stand out in particular, along with David Freese as an option at both corner infield spots, and even Manny Machado can play shortstop and third base at a Gold Glove level.

When the series shifts to Dodger Stadium and National League rules, the Red Sox are in line to move Mookie Betts to second base to make room for J.D. Martinez in the lineup as the right fielder. Even allowing for how elite Betts is as a defensive outfielder and that virtually anyone would be a downgrade, Martinez was a negative value defender during the regular season (-1.4 Defensive WAR, per Baseball Reference)

The Dodgers can use multiple players in multiple spots and situations, with little cause for concern about a substantial drop-off. Being the National League team, with the requisite roster construction that requires, will work to their advantage against the Red Sox.