This was supposed to be the year for the Los Angeles Dodgers. They signed one of the greatest baseball players of all time to a record $700 million contract. The Dodgers brought over the best pitcher in Japan for another $325 million. Los Angeles traded for a top-of-the-rotation starter.
Everything was set up perfectly for the Dodgers to win their second championship since 2020. However, this won’t be the year Shohei Ohtani and company will be raising a championship trophy above their head.
Here are four reasons why the Dodgers will fail to win the World Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers Rotation In Rough Shape
It would be a much different postseason for the Dodgers if they actually had any healthy starting pitchers. They won’t have Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, Dustin May, and Gavin Stone, among others.
They’re counting on trade acquisition Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto — who was injured for three months this season — and Walker Buehler, the one with a 5.38 ERA after coming back from Tommy John surgery.
They’re going to have a tough time stopping the San Diego Padres‘ offense in the NLDS.
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What Will The Dodgers Outfield Look Like?
Outside of Teoscar Hernandez, the Dodgers’ outfield didn’t produce much offensively in 2024.
Hernandez was second on the team with 33 home runs and finished the season with 99 RBI. Eight others who played the outfield this season combined for just 37 blasts, with center fielder Andy Pages leading the bunch with 13.
It’s going to be a challenge to count on any of the outfield bats, outside of Hernandez, in the playoffs.
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How Healthy Will Freddie Freeman Be?
During the Dodgers’ series against the Padres last week, slugging first baseman Freddie Freeman went down with a twisted ankle. He didn’t go on the road for the final games of the regular season as the Dodgers played the Colorado Rockies.
Freeman said his ankle looks like a grapefruit, which doesn’t sound especially good. However, manager Dave Roberts says Freeman is progressing and should be good to go for Game 1 on Saturday.
It remains to be seen, though, how effective Freeman will be.
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How Will Shohei Ohtani Fare In His First Postseason Appearance?
Shohei Ohtani is the greatest player we’ve ever seen. He’s well on his way to winning his third MVP after his latest historic season — becoming the first player ever to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season.
On top of 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases, Ohtani hit .310, scored 134 runs, knocked in 130, had a 1.036 OPS, and 190 OPS+. He also accumulated a 9.2 WAR while being a designated hitter the entire season because he couldn’t pitch coming off Tommy John surgery.
Despite all his success, this is Ohtani’s first time ever being in the playoffs. Could the pressure get to him? Will he feel like he needs to carry the Dodgers if the offense falters? What happens if his bat goes cold? This postseason is going to help define Ohtani — good or bad.
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