Los Angeles Dodgers: NL West Division
Boston Mountain Publishing
Updated Thursday, October 6, 2020, 12:33 PM
LA Dodgers - #1
California Dreamin'
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished with the best record in baseball at 111-51 in the regular season. They were the first team to secure a spot in this year's post-season play as they quietly wrapped up a playoff spot to make the 2022 playoffs in early September against their division rival the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers were the first team in the league to capture an automatic first-round bye and they have also secured home field advantage through the World Series. By securing the first round-bye, the Dodgers will receive an extra week off before their first game of the post season. They will be taking on the winner between the New York Mets or the San Diego Padres on October 11th in Los Angeles after their first-round Best of 3 series.
The Dodgers are led by Manager Dave Roberts who is in his 7th season with the club. He was hired in November 2015 after previously serving as the bench coach for the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers won the 2020 World Series against the Tampa Bay Ray (4-2) under Roberts direction. As a player, Roberts (OF) was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 28th Round in 1994. After moving around the minors for several years, he was brought into the Dodgers organization and played his first full season in the majors throughout 2002. Roberts played for 5 different clubs, and won a World Series with Red Sox as a player in 2004
Side note: Roberts guaranteed a World Series victory in Spring Training, "depending on the health of the pitchers."
The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently the favorite to win the World Series at +300 at Caesar's Sportsbook in Las Vegas.
HITTING
As a team, the Dodgers finished 4th in the league in batting average, hitting .257 on the season. In the league, they finished 5th in total hits, 1st in total runs, 2nd in walks, and 5th in HRs on the year.
Freddie Freeman (1B) finished 2nd in the league with a .325 batting average in 2022. He played in 159 games, hitting 100 RBIs and scoring 117 runs (2nd in the league) for the Dodgers. Freeman led the league with 199 hits, which included 47 doubles, 2 triples, and 21 HR's this year.
Trea Turner (SS) finished second on the team in batting average, hitting .298 after playing in 160 games this year. He had 194 hits including 39 doubles, 4 triples, and 21 HRs to go along with 100 RBIs. Turner is led the Dodgers with 27 stolen bases.
Justin Turner (3B) was third in batting average on the year for the Dodgers, hitting .278 in 128 games this year. He had 36 doubles, and 13 HRs with 81 RBIs.
Will Smith (C) finished with a .260 batting average which include 26 doubles, 3 triples, and 24 HRs. Something of note, 53 of his 68 hits on the year were for extra bases.
Mookie Betts (RF) hit .269 this season and is led the team with 40 doubles, and 35 HRs for the year.
PITCHING
The Dodgers starting rotation and their bullpen has been the best in the league this year. They led the league with a 2.80 team ERA and held teams to a league low .209 batting average at the plate. They gave up the fewest hits as well as the fewest runs in the league this year.
Julio Urais (P) finished with a 17-7 record on the season with 31 starts. He closed the year with a 2.16 ERA and threw 175 innings over the season. Urais had 166 strikeouts on the year, and he gave up 41 walks to opposing batters.
Tyler Anderson (P) ended up with a 15-5 record with a 2.57 ERA. He threw a team best 178.2 innings with 28 starts in 2022. Anderson had 138 strikeouts and only gave up 34 walks this season.
Tony Gonsolin (P) had a 16-1 record on the year with 24 starts and he threw 130.1 innings for the Dodgers. He closed the year with a 2.14 ERA, and he struck out 119 batters. Gonsolin was contending for the NL Cy Young but was sidelined in August with a forearm injury. Depending on how he progresses from the injury will determine his use in the post-season. He did throw 2 innings against the Rockies earlier in the week.
Clayton Kershaw (P) ended the regular season with a 12-3 record, throwing a 126.1 innings on the year. He finished with a 2.28 ERA in 22 starts for the Dodgers with 137 strikeouts for 2022.
Craig Kimbrel (P) led the Dodgers out of the bullpen with 22 saves on the year. He threw 60 innings, holding opposing teams to a .227 batting average against him. Kimbrel appeared in 63 games this season and finished with a 6-7 record with 3.75 ERA. There has been some concern with Kimbrel as of late and the coaches are keeping all options open.
Evan Phillips (P) appeared in 64 games for the Dodgers in 2022. He pitched in 63 innings with a blistering 1.14 ERA while holding batters to a 1.55 batting average against him this year.
End of Regular Season
Play will resume for the Dodgers on October 11th against the New York Mets or San Diego Padres.
Check out our MLB Playoff Rundown by Team here:
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