3 players who could make or break Dodgers World Series chances
By Drew Koch
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a relatively quiet offseason. The team’s hopes for a return to the World Series could hinge on how well these three players perform in 2023.
The Los Angeles Dodgers did not experience a very pleasant ending to their 2022 campaign. LA was bounced in the National League Division Series by their NL West rival, the San Diego Padres.
To make matters worse, the Padres have gone on a Dodger-like spending spree of late. The Friars added to their core of Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. by trading for superstar outfielder Juan Soto and inking former Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts to a massive free-agent deal.
LA made some moves this offseason, but not many that actually moved the needle. Instead, the Dodgers may be looking for several players to step up their game in 2023 if the team hopes to return to the World Series. Which three players could make or break or break the Dodgers chances of returning to the Fall Classic?
Dustin May could make or break the Dodgers World Series chances
The Los Angeles Dodgers rotation has taken a hit with the loss of Walker Buehler. The Dodgers starter, after undergoing Tommy John surgery, will likely miss all of the 2023 season. LA also lost Tyler Anderson to the Los Angeles Angels in free agency.
These losses are going to put increased pressure on the rest of the Dodgers rotation heading into the upcoming season. Julio Urias will undoubtedly be counted upon as will Tony Gonsolin and Clayton Kershaw, but the performance of Dustin May could be crucial to LA’s success in 2023.
In the spring of 2021, May tore his UCL and required Tommy John surgery. The right-hander missed the remainder of that season and did not return to the mound until August of last year. May has long been regarded as one of the better young pitchers in the Dodgers organization.
The 2023 season will give Dustin May a chance to prove himself. With Tyler Anderson gone and Walker Buehler on the shelf, May will find a home somewhere in the starting rotation. The Dodgers also added Noah Syndergaard in free agency, but May’s performance could be the difference between LA’s rotation being elite or just average.