The Dodgers Have An Underrated Aspect to Their Offense, According to MLB Network Analyst
The Dodgers are expected to have another strong offensive season. A year ago, they set a Los Angeles-era record by scoring 906 runs. Since then, the Dodgers acquired more firepower in designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and outfielder Teoscar Hernández, giving them more ammo to use against opposing teams.
This Dodgers lineup is loaded beyond belief with their three-headed monster of Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman at the top. They will put pressure on pitchers all season long — and not just in the batter’s box.
Former MLB All-Star pitcher Brad Lidge offered one aspect to the Dodgers’ offense few are talking about: the stolen base potential the Dodgers can take advantage of more this season.
“Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani can run the hell out of the bases. All those guys are fantastic on the basepaths and that’s a whole other element we don’t even talk about much is how good they are there so there gonna put pressure on you in every single direction”
— Brad Lidge, via MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM
Los Angeles was below-average last season at stealing bases, ranking 19th in MLB according to FanGraphs. The team stole 105 bases combined, but will be looking to add to that total this season. The team with the most last season was the Cincinnati Reds, who stole 190 bases.
If the Dodgers can improve their baserunning, even more run-scoring opportunities will open for them. The rules of the game have changed to have teams be smarter on the basepaths, and it’s time Los Angeles caught up.
With the speed the Dodgers have on the basepaths, they have a chance to be more aggressive. This will boost their run-scoring potential throughout the year and could be a factor come playoff time.
Photo Credit: Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters via USA TODAY Sports
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906 runs last year. A 5% increase adds 45 runs. A 10% increase gets them to about 1,000 runs, which seems possible. The line-up is improved in 3 1/2 slots. Ohtani over JD Martinez (25 more runs?). Teoscar over Peralta (20 more runs?) . Lux over Rojas (20 more runs?). Heyward gets about 200 of Vargas’ at-bats (10 more runs?). Muncy might be a little better.Outman might be a little better. There should be a synergistic effect of having more runners on base,the extra stress on opposing pitchers (just getting through the first inning), getting into opposing bullpens earlier,all of this making everyone a better hitter, and having more stolen bases, too. Add Juan Soto in 2025, please.