3 Takeaways from the Dodgers’ First Month of the Season

The Dodgers finished the first month-plus of the season with a 16-13 record and already have gotten May off to a nice start with a convincing win over the Phillies. For most of the first month of the season, we really couldn’t get a sense of what exactly this team was made of. In some wins, they blew out the opposition. In most losses, they scored 3 or fewer runs in games.

With that in mind, let’s explore three takeaways from the season thus far.

Takeaway 1:

Again, we don’t really quite know what this team is because we didn’t really see all 26 guys out there most of April. If anything, we learned that we really haven’t learned anything yet. Over the last 10 to 12 days, we’ve seen something a little closer to what the front office expected when the roster was assembled.

They’re winners of 8 of their last 11 and are finding ways to score that don’t always involve the home run. On top of the offense, the pitching — mainly the bullpen has been much more consistent as pitchers settle into roles.

May could and should be a much better barometer for this team’s chances in the playoffs.

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Takeaway 2:

Clayton Kershaw is still just so, so good. I could wax on and on here but instead, I leave you the ramblings of praise from myself and my co-host Doug McKain in a recent edition of the Blue Heaven Podcast live stream.

I’ll just say this… appreciate what Kersh is doing because we may not ever see another pitcher like this again.

Takeaway 3:

Will the real Mookie Betts please stand up? So far in May, so good. The frustration has been getting more palpable for the leadoff catalyst. Mookie hit .235 in March/April with 4 home runs and a .781 OPS with a career-high 20.8% strikeout rate. His hard hit percentage is also at 39%, nearly 7% lower than his career norm.

If last night’s game is any indicator, the flip of the calendar will be good for him. For what it’s worth, he usually hits well in May.

Mookie Betts Career in May

• 187 games, .292/.371/.560, 55 2B, 45 HR, 127 RBI

Some bonus takeaways (and one question):

• In terms of the final spot on the roster (we’ll call it for now), the Dodgers need to do something about Trayce Thompson soon. Maybe Chris Taylor is in that convo as well? (Though they won’t do anything about that.) Jason Heyward is 7 for his last 10 and hitting .322 since April 18. He’s not a problem.
• Maybe the bullpen is ok after all and will only get better with the return/addition of several arms in June and July.
• The Gavin Stone call up shows LA is either 1. bold and willing to do what it takes to win or 2. really lacking starting pitching options with Michael Grove and Ryan Pepiot out.
• Refined slider and usage has led to our best Brusdar Graterol yet.
• How long is the leash for Noah Syndergaard?

Let’s see how the rest of May goes.