The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2024 season with enormous expectations after a historic winter that saw them bring in the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Teoscar Hernández, among others.
Ohtani and Hernández joined a stacked Dodgers lineup that already included fellow All-Stars Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith. Glasnow and Yamamoto fortified the starting rotation while the bullpen had many holdovers from a successful 2023 season.
The Dodgers were decimated by injuries this year but still managed to clinch a postseason berth for 12th consecutive season. The team not only managed to reach October baseball yet again, but did so behind another National League West title and the best record in baseball as well.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently said he believes the 2024 Dodgers have one of the deepest lineups and bullpens in recent memory, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“I think this is arguably the deepest, most balanced lineup we’ve ever had,” Friedman said. “I think our pen is as deep and talented as I can remember. And right now we’ve got to figure out how to line up our starters, and as guys are coming back, making sure that they get enough workload under their belt to hit October in stride.”
Unfortunately for Friedman and Dodgers, there wound up being little planning and decision-making with the rotation due to numerous starters being ruled out for the rest of the year.
Glasnow and Gavin Stone are among those who won’t pitch in October, while Clayton Kershaw isn’t available for the NL Division Series.
Yamamoto did return from the 60-day injured list to make four starts during September and is lined up for his postseason debut in Game 1 of the NLDS.
Young Dodgers pitchers stepped up
Amid the rash of injuries, Knack and Justin Wrobleski were among the pitchers who have received more opportunities with the Dodgers this year. River Ryan also contributed before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery.
General manager Brandon Gomes expressed confidence in the overall Dodgers pitching staff heading into the playoffs.
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