2011 Los Angeles Dodgers Season Preview and Predictions

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It was a disappointing final season under manager Joe Torre. The Dodgers weren't terrible at 80-82, but finished just fourth in the NL West. Taking over for Torre is Don Mattingly, who will try and get Los Angeles to the playoffs for the very first time since 2006. The offense will have to be superior if the Dodgers are going to contend for the National League West this year. The only situation is Los Angeles just did not do a complete lot to better their lineup from a year ago. Here is a closer appear at the Dodgers starting lineup and starting rotation for the 2011 season, plus our MLB predictions on where they will finish the year in the West.

Starting Lineup

For Los Angeles to bring dwelling the West this year, they need an even larger season out of Andre Either and Matt Kemp. Neither was terrible last year, but with the players they have about them, it's up to them to carry the load. Kemp delivered 28 property runs last season, but his RBIs, OBP, and typical all dropped. Either began the season on fire, but struggled down the stretch and have to show he can create over a full season. What could truly get this offense going is a wholesome Rafael Furcal, who played much less than 100 games last year. Furcal can truly get the offense going when he is on the field, as he is 1 of the leading leadoff hitters in the game. Los Angeles went out an added second baseman Juan Uribe, who set career-highs with 24 residence runs and 85 RBIs with the Giants last season, but he doesn't figure to have numerous years left, and its significantly more most likely he falls off than builds off last year.

The rest of the lineup draws some concern. James Loney hasn't been the player the Dodgers had hoped they had been obtaining at initially base, and if his stats continue to fall, you have to wonder how significantly longer The Dodgers will maintain him in the lineup. Third baseman Casey Blake turned 37 last August, and it is difficult to expect a major season out of him anymore. Catcher Rod Barajas was acquired immediately after the Dodgers decided not to bring back Russell Martin. Barajas is coming off a year where he hit 17 home runs, but a further guy who is on the wrong side of 35. Marcus Thames and Jay Gibbons are expected to platoon in left field, and both have some solid potential.

Beginning Rotation

The only reason the Dodgers were able to even contend in the division last year, was the unbelievable work they got from their beginning rotation. Clayton Kershaw left no doubt that he is the ace of this staff soon after a different outstanding run in 2010. Kershaw went just 13-10, but finished with an ERA of two.91, which shows just how poor the offense struggled last season. Chad Billingsley also didn't get a lot of run support, as he went 12-11 with a three.57 ERA. The Dodgers decided to bring back Ted Lilly, who they added in a midseason trade with the Cubs. Lilly went 7-4 with a three.52 ERA with the Dodgers, and is a fantastic No. 3 starter. The back of the rotation figures to be filled with Hiroki Kuroda and Jon Garland. Kuroda went just 11-13 last season, but had a three.39 ERA and 1.161 WHIP. Garland went 14-12 with a 3.47 ERA in San Diego last season. Not exceptionally usually will you obtain a pitching staff that has five starters who all had and ERA under four.00 the prior season, and not finish above.500, but unless the offense gets points going the Dodgers could fit that bill.

2011 Projections: 4th Place NL West

Though Los Angeles could not have the star power in their beginning rotation, there is no question they have the arms to make a run in the West. The problem is they just don't have the offense to back it up. Unless a lot of guys have a breakout season in 2011, we don't see the Dodgers creating a lot progress in the division standings.