The Los Angeles Dodgers are the sports betting favorites to win the National League West with some experts projecting them to contend for 100 wins. However, that would mean the Dodgers likely finish with the best record in baseball with an excellent chance to make their first World Series appearance since 1988. Los Angeles has the talent and depth to contend in 2017 but they have some concerns that need to be addressed. Here is a look at five key questions the Dodgers must answer heading in to spring training.
Is Clayton Kershaw Healthy?
Clayton Kershaw is the most dominant pitcher in the majors when healthy but the three-time National League Cy Young award winner missed two full months with a back injury last year and there are question marks about whether or not he is ready to handle a full workload this season. Kershaw posted a ridiculous 1.29 ERA in his five starts off the disabled list but he is 28-years-old and it makes sense that there will be some concerns about how long he can continue to pitch at an elite level over a long period of time after his injuries last year. The Dodgers need Kershaw to be at his best and only time will tell if he is up to the challenge.
Who Rounds Out The Rotation?
Kershaw, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda and Julio Urias will slot in to the top four spots in the Dodgers rotation but they have yet to determine who will be their fifth starter. Scott Kazmir should be the front runner but Brandon McCarthy, Ross Stripling and Hyun-Jin Ryu are in the mix as well. Los Angeles has an excellent top four group but they will need a fifth starter to emerge and perform at a high level in order to hold down the final spot in the rotation.
The Dodgers finished the regular season fifth in terms of team ERA with a number of 3.70. Opposing hitters batted just .233 against them in 2016, which was the second-best number in the Majors, as hitters a really tough time finding the ball against them. The Dodgers led the league in strikeouts as well; they were the only team in the Majors to strike out more than 1500 batters. How they round out their rotation will determine if they can stay atop all of these different categories and maintain their dominance.
Can Puig Bounce Back?
Yasiel Puig is back after last season’s embarrassing demotion but there are serious question marks about whether or not he can be consistent enough to shine for the Dodgers in right field this season. Andre Ethier is in the mix while Trace Thompson and Scott Van Slyke have hung around but clearly LA is banking on Puig bouncing back this season. There is no doubt about the 26-year-old’s immense potential but he needs to prove he can be relied on by the Dodgers for a full season in 2017.
Is Toles The Real Deal?
Andrew Toles was stocking shelves at a grocery store before the Dodgers picked him up and he made the most of his opportunity by hitting .314 in 115 plate appearances. Los Angeles has slotted him in as their starting left fielder and will be banking on him picking up where he left off and building off his strong debut. Toles will have to produce over a much bigger sample size in 2017 with expectations a lot higher for the 24-year-old. The Dodgers hope he can produce at a high level and if he falters they will need to make up for it.
Is Forsythe The Smart Pick?
Los Angeles traded for Logan Forsythe from the Tampa Bay Rays with the hope that he can produce at a high level as their starting second basemen. Forsythe hit .264 with a career-high 20 home runs in 2016 but there is no guarantee there will not be a drop in his production. The Dodgers missed out on Brian Dozier before settling for Forsythe and it will be interesting to see whether or not their decision was a smart pick.
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