Los Angeles Dodgers starting lineup prediction with Freddie Freeman in it

The Los Angeles Dodgers starting lineup got even better with the addition of Freddie Freeman.

How do you make an already terrifying starting lineup even more frightening for the rest of the league? You put Freddie Freeman right in the middle of it. This is what the Los Angeles Dodgers did when they agreed to bring the star first baseman to Hollywood.

Routinely one of the best clubs in the National League each season, they got even more dangerous with this move. Dodgers fans are more eager than ever to get the season started and see all of the damage the starting nine can do.

When the season opens on Friday, April 8, against the Colorado Rockies, what will the Dodgers starting lineup look like?

Predicting what the Los Angeles Dodgers starting lineup looks like with Freddie Freeman in it

MLB Network has their own idea as to what the starting nine could look like:

https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork/status/1504314087089520643

At the top, we have the excitement of Mookie Betts and Trea Turner. Right after them, the newest member of the club, Freeman, will get his hacks.

After him, the team gets jiggy with Will Smith then turns to Max Muncy in the number five spot. Things finish off with Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Chris Taylor, and finally A.J. Pollock. Order them however you want. Pick names out of a hat if you must. The Dodgers lineup is scary!

This isn’t the only way the lineup could look, though. There are a couple of ways Dave Roberts can list them out. On defense alone, the versatility of Muncy and Taylor will provide them with a couple of options throughout the season and in the first game of the season.

Prediction for the Dodgers Opening Day starting lineup

Assuming everyone gets through spring training healthy, let’s all agree the lineup begins with Betts, Turner, and Freeman in right field, at shortstop, and at first base respectively. To find the cleanup hitter, it might be worth looking at how different Dodgers have performed against the expected Opening Day starter for the Rockies, German Marquez.

Smith is only 1-for-4 against him while Turner is 4-for-21. Neither has managed to obliterate Marquez which could lead to a few different conclusions. I’d give the benefit to the more experienced Turner to protect Freeman so let’s go with him.

Behind Turner, we have the lefty Muncy followed by Smith at number six. Batting seventh, I’m going to predict we see Taylor and his 3-for-8 history versus Marquez followed by Bellinger at number eight. Bellinger’s spot here will also prevent the Dodgers from having four straight righties in the lineup.

Finally, there’s Pollock at the bottom to help turn the lineup over.

Dodgers starting lineup prediction

1. Mookie Betts RF
2. Trea Turner SS
3. Freddie Freeman 1B
4. Justin Turner 3B
5. Max Muncy DH
6. Will Smith C
7. Chris Taylor 2B
8. Cody Bellinger CF
9. A.J. Pollock LF

You can’t go wrong with how you want to order these nine. The Dodgers starting lineup is fully loaded.