Former All-Star Reliever Feels Bad For Pitchers Having to Navigate Dodgers’ Lineup This Season
When preseason projections were released in the weeks leading up to Opening Day, the Dodgers’ star power was obvious. They have five of the Top 25 players in the National League, according to ZiPS. Four of the Top 12, according to Steamer.
However, it’s not just the All-Stars on the roster that make the Dodgers’ lineup one of the most dangerous in baseball. The complementary players who surround their stars can give them a boost on any given night.
Former All-Star reliever Brad Lidge said he feels bad for pitchers who have to navigate through the Dodgers lineup this season.
“I don’t know how you navigate through that lineup over and over and over because honestly as a starting pitcher you might be able to get through those guys with smoke and mirror the first time or great stuff the first time but they all make adjustments, in-game adjustments so well that eventually they are going to get to you.”
— Brad Lidge, via MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM
One advantage the Dodgers have is their big three. Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman comprise arguably the best top of the lineup in baseball history, giving opposing pitchers nightmares before they step in the box.
Each batter is patient at the plate and will learn from a previous at-bat. The second time through the batting order is a tall task for even the most durable starter.
After the three-headed monster, Los Angeles still has Will Smith, who is regarded as one of the best catchers in the game. Power-hitting Max Muncy, Teoscar Hernandez and a boatload of young talent are waiting to prove themselves at the bottom of the order.
From top to bottom, this may be the best Dodgers roster of all time. Of course, they will have to prove that on the field, but at least on paper entering the season, opposing teams will need to get clever to figure out how to stop them.
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, livestreams, and more!
First lets look at the Braves–We are great but so are the Braves
I think our oitching is a little overated–Glasnow & Miller are good–not great-
Yamamamoto has not shown much Stone has not and Paxton is a 5th stareer
The bullpen is strong when healthy—Yes the offense is great But I wouldnt gaurentee
a Championship—That said the FO did a great job this offseason even tough Ohtani isnt worth 70 million a year
40 million yes not 70–hey its done so lets win it all then
Sound like a troll. Glasgow and Miller are studs, Buehler is right there and give Yamamoto time to get acclimated. Then you have Paxton, Kershaw, May and 3 more youngsters. Def plenty of depth
The Braves are probably better this year than last. Dodgers have certainly improved and props to Dodger management. They have decided to put Mookie in a bad situation to keep a bat in Lux in the line up. The problem is Muncy is having defensive issues also. I am not a Muncy fan as the hot corner needs solid defense.
The bullpen is very talented and will be a strength. The Rotation as it is currently is strong. When you add guys that should be available in stages later in the year the rotation gets very good if not one of the best. Buehler, Kershaw and May are incredibly talented. Kershaw if healthy can be dominant as we all know about the first ballot HOFer. Buehler if healthy this is his contract year so I think he will be very motivated. And May if he can come back can be unhittable.