Dodgers Among Favorites to Win World Series, Rotation Raises Concerns

The Dodgers are getting ready for the playoffs.

After a historic month of August where the team went 24-4 off the backs of Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, the team also benefitted from players like Lance Lynn and other starting pitchers who pitched well during that stretch.

After multiple hits to the starting rotation off the field and poor production on the field, the starting arms for Los Angeles are a big concern that showed up in September.

Even with all the struggles right now, ESPN Senior Writer David Schoenfield still has LA as one of the favorites.

The favorites tier consists of the top MLB teams like Atlanta, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Houston, and Los Angeles.

Why they can win the World Series: Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman are the dynamic duo. The offense doesn’t stop there, though, with the likes of Will Smith, Max Muncy, J.D. Martinez and even solid contributors like Chris Taylor, Jason Heyward and James Outman. Only the Braves have scored more runs.

(David Schoenfield, ESPN)

With MVP seasons from the first two bats in the lineup, the Dodgers always have a chance at winning any game with the impact that they bring along with the talent behind them that gets on base and gets clutch walks and RBIs.

Mookie Betts’ 103 RBIs this year all come from the leadoff spot so the players at the bottom of the order help Mookie get those numbers up and score runs.

Why they won’t: The rotation is, umm, a bit of a mess. Julio Urias is on administrative leave after his arrest on felony domestic violence charges. The Dodgers haven’t been able to fix Lance Lynn. Walker Buehler will not return this season. The rotation now includes rookies Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot and Emmet Sheehan alongside Clayton Kershaw and Lynn.

(David Schoenfield, ESPN)

Walker Buehler is not coming back this year. He was the one hopeful piece that the Dodgers could replace Urias with amid his charges and investigation.

Lance Lynn was the piece that the Dodgers acquired at this year’s trade deadline and he started off hot in LA as he went 4-0 in his first 5 games with a 2.03 ERA pitching 6-7 innings a start and not loading the bases when he gives up home runs.

Since then, his last two starts have seen him pitch to the tune of a 15.00 ERA, and in 9 innings he has only recorded 2 strikeouts.

If the Dodgers want to make it far in the postseason, they will need to fix something with Lynn’s approach or pitch mix.

Verdict: Real. Here’s the thing: Don’t overlook the Dodgers (not that anyone is overlooking the Dodgers). Kershaw is still great (2.61 ERA), Miller is reliable and potentially dominant at times with his 99 mph fastball, and Pepiot had made two starts and not allowed a run. And did we mention Betts and Freeman?

(David Schoenfield, ESPN)

The Dodgers are still the Dodgers, and their offense has been elite scoring over five runs a game. With solid confident pitching that does not blow up, the lineup consisting of two MVPs and multiple All-Stars will keep this team in every postseason game.

Photo Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

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