Are the Dodgers Facing Trouble This Season?
Rome fell, the Titanic met its end, and Mike Tyson faced defeat against Buster Douglas. Change happens, and it can happen suddenly—no one is immune to it.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, for instance, are in a situation that could be treacherous. As they aim for their third consecutive championship, the risk factors are looming. Their rotation looks fragile, some key players are aging, and the depth isn’t quite what it once was.
Despite this, the two-time World Series champions are determined to overcome these challenges. They know their potential well.
Manager Dave Roberts has acknowledged the uphill battle, stating, “We’re very aware there’s a lot of work to do.”
The looming concerns start with the pitching staff. While Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, and Tyler Glasnow were healthy for the World Series, this was one of the few stretches without injuries in their rotation. Last season, Snell dealt with a shoulder issue that kept him off the field for four months. Ohtani returned mid-June after recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, and Glasnow was sidelined for months due to shoulder inflammation.
During the World Series, Yamamoto was the only consistent starter. He carried a heavy load, pitching two complete games and finishing 2 2/3 innings the day after a six-inning start in Game 7. Yet, his history includes a near-three-month absence in 2024 due to shoulder problems.
Now, Snell is intending to take a cautious approach this spring to avoid previous injuries. His carefulness makes sense—he’s crucial for October. Still, the fragile state of the rotation poses real risks, affecting the overall season performance.
Injuries can force teams to rely on inexperienced pitchers who can’t be counted on to last deep into games. This was evident last season when the Dodgers led the league in innings pitched by relievers, indicating how much the starting rotation was strained.
When relievers are overworked, their effectiveness tends to drop. Tanner Scott is a prime example; he appeared in 21 of the first 46 games with a stellar ERA of 1.74, but that figure soared to 6.44 for the rest of the season.
The Dodgers’ bullpen struggled significantly, but this points to a broader issue. A roster designed for postseason success, featuring pitchers who can push hard for brief periods, often falters over the lengthy regular season.
As the Dodgers have secured three championships in the last six years, the landscape of team-building is shifting. Emphasizing quality has become more common, moving away from the previous focus on quantity.
In earlier years, manager Andrew Friedman often utilized platoons. Nowadays, however, it seems they have six or seven All-Stars in the lineup, adjusting more for the pitchers they face rather than rotating through lesser-known players. While this strategy has led to successes, it could also breed inconsistency throughout the season.
Such irregularities could create postseason anxieties. Last year, the Dodgers won the National League West, but their 93 wins were only the third-highest in their league. Because they didn’t claim a top-two seed, they skipped the bye and faced a best-of-three series against a wild-card opponent. They triumphed over the Cincinnati Reds, but one wonders what will happen against a team with two formidable pitchers this time around.
Concerns also arise regarding player ages. Freddie Freeman is pushing 36, while Max Muncy is 35, and both Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez are 33. Despite contributing significantly last season, Betts had one of his worst offensive years, and durability remains a concern for both Muncy and Hernandez.
Roberts recognizes the need for adjustments in preparation and management as they navigate these veterans’ challenges.
Nevertheless, the Dodgers still possess three All-Stars—Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, and Will Smith—who are in their prime. Their vigor should balance out the performance dips from older players. My gut feeling? The Titanic is unlikely to sink.
But, there’s always that possibility.
