The Los Angeles Dodgers have demonstrated remarkable resilience this season, overcoming several injuries to key players that would have derailed lesser teams. Despite losing their top two pitchers, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as well as former MVP Mookie Betts and power-hitter Max Muncy for significant stretches, the Dodgers have remained a formidable force in the National League.
As the second half of the season unfolds, the Dodgers are poised to make a strong push for the top spot in the National League and secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. With injured stars gradually returning and the trade deadline looming, the team’s outlook is filled with challenges and opportunities. Coming out of the break, the Dodgers have won five straight games, sweeping the Boston Red Sox and winning the opening two games of a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants.
Here are three bold predictions for the Dodgers’ second-half campaign that could shape their postseason aspirations.
Dodgers Excel in August
The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced significant injury challenges this season. However, the team expects several players to rejoin the roster in late July and early August. Starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow returns tonight after missing almost three weeks of action. Clayton Kershaw is expected to make his first start of the season tomorrow night, and Brusdar Graterol could be activated from the 60-day injured list by the end of the month. Mookie Betts, who broke his finger on June 16, is taking swings and fielding ground balls and is expected to return in early August.
The Dodgers have a 60-41 record and lead the National League West by 7.5 games over the San Diego Padres. They’re just 3.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in the league and 2.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the race for a first-round playoff bye. According to SportyTrader’s expert tips for MLB games, the Dodgers are poised to strengthen their position as World Series favorites in August. Despite tough competition, the Dodgers are expected to pad their division lead and distance themselves from other contenders.
SportyTrader predicts the Dodgers will be favored against six of the seven series in August. While they may face challenges in home series against the Phillies and Baltimore Orioles, the Dodgers are expected to secure series wins against the Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners, and St. Louis Cardinals before closing the month against their division rival Diamondbacks.
This favorable schedule (15 of 17 games are at home) should allow the Dodgers to extend their lead in the National League West and potentially overtake the Phillies for the best record in the National League. The team’s performance in August probably won’t significantly impact their World Series odds, which currently stand at +300 to +333, as they’re the overwhelming favorites, but it should solidify them.
Shohei Ohtani Lands his Third MVP
Shohei Ohtani is poised to make history by winning his third MVP award and first in the National League, despite playing exclusively as a designated hitter this season. With reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. out for the season and teammate Mookie Betts missing significant time due to injury, Ohtani’s path to the award has become more evident.
However, Ohtani faces stiff competition from other NL stars. Bryce Harper of the Phillies, a two-time MVP himself, is Ohtani’s closest challenger. Harper’s defensive impact at first base could sway voters. Other contenders include Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers, Ketel Marte of the Diamondbacks, and Marcell Ozuna of the Braves.
Despite not pitching this year, Ohtani’s offensive prowess keeps him at the forefront of the MVP race. He leads the league in WAR, is fourth in batting average, and second in home runs, putting him in contention for the Triple Crown. His baserunning skills have also been impressive, with 24 steals tying him for sixth in the league.
Ohtani’s current stats are remarkable: a .314 batting average with 30 home runs, 21 doubles, 78 runs scored, and 73 RBIs. If he maintains this pace, he could finish the season with over 40 home runs and 100 RBIs, solidifying his case for MVP even without his usual two-way contributions.
While being limited to DH duties might pose a challenge, Ohtani’s exceptional offensive output and ability to impact games in multiple ways could overcome this potential drawback. If he secures the award, he will join Frank Robinson as the only player to win MVP in both leagues, further cementing his legacy as one of baseball’s most versatile and dominant players.
The Dodgers Acquire Garret Crochet
As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly pursuing a trade for Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet. This move is driven by the Dodgers’ need to bolster their starting rotation, plagued by injuries to key players like Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin, Bobby Miller, and Dustin May.
Garrett Crochet, who has transitioned from the bullpen to the starting rotation, is having a breakout season. He boasts a 6-7 record with a 3.07 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 157 strikeouts in 111.1 innings. His performance has made him one of the most valuable pitchers in baseball, leading in strikeouts and fWAR and ranking highly in other pitching metrics. However, his durability remains a concern due to past injuries and a significant increase in his workload this season.
Dodgers’ General Manager Andrew Friedman is known for his ability to close unlikely or challenging deals. Given the Dodgers’ current position at the top of the National League West and their need for pitching reinforcements, they are expected to go all-in this summer to secure Crochet. The White Sox, under Chris Getz’s front office, appear open to trading controllable stars like Crochet to enhance their long-term rebuilding efforts, and the Dodgers certainly have the prospect pieces.
While the trade for Crochet is not guaranteed, the Dodgers’ interest is strong, and they are prepared to meet the White Sox’s demands to acquire the talented lefty.
