2011 Los Angeles Dodgers Season Preview and Predictions

>

It was a disappointing final season under manager Joe Torre. The Dodgers weren't terrible at 80-82, but completed just fourth in the NL West. Taking over for Torre is Don Mattingly, who will attempt and get Los Angeles to the playoffs for the initial time because 2006. The offense will have to be better 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 entire lot to much better their lineup from a year ago. Here is a closer appear at the Dodgers starting lineup and beginning rotation for the 2011 season, plus our MLB predictions on where they will finish the year in the West.

Beginning Lineup

For Los Angeles to bring dwelling the West this year, they need an even bigger season out of Andre Either and Matt Kemp. Neither was terrible final year, but with the players they have about them, it's up to them to carry the load. Kemp delivered 28 home runs final season, but his RBIs, OBP, and average all dropped. Either started the season on fire, but struggled down the stretch and ought to show he can generate over a full season. What could seriously get this offense going is a wholesome Rafael Furcal, who played less than 100 games last year. Furcal can really get the offense going when he is on the field, as he is one of the leading leadoff hitters in the game. Los Angeles went out an added second baseman Juan Uribe, who set career-highs with 24 household runs and 85 RBIs with the Giants final season, but he does not figure to have several years left, and its extra 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 were receiving at 1st base, and if his stats continue to fall, you have to wonder how considerably longer The Dodgers will maintain him in the lineup. Third baseman Casey Blake turned 37 final August, and it's challenging to anticipate a big season out of him anymore. Catcher Rod Barajas was acquired following the Dodgers decided not to bring back Russell Martin. Barajas is coming off a year where he hit 17 property runs, but a different guy who is on the wrong side of 35. Marcus Thames and Jay Gibbons are expected to platoon in left field, and each have some solid prospective.

Starting Rotation

The only reason the Dodgers had been able to even contend in the division last year, was the unbelievable function they got from their beginning rotation. Clayton Kershaw left no doubt that he is the ace of this staff right after a further good run in 2010. Kershaw went just 13-10, but finished with an ERA of 2.91, which shows just how poor the offense struggled final season. Chad Billingsley also did not 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 terrific No. 3 starter. The back of the rotation figures to be filled with Hiroki Kuroda and Jon Garland. Kuroda went just 11-13 final season, but had a 3.39 ERA and 1.161 WHIP. Garland went 14-12 with a 3.47 ERA in San Diego last season. Not incredibly regularly will you acquire a pitching staff that has 5 starters who all had and ERA under four.00 the previous season, and not finish above.500, but unless the offense gets issues going the Dodgers could fit that bill.

2011 Projections: 4th Location NL West

Although Los Angeles may possibly not have the star energy in their beginning rotation, there is no question they have the arms to make a run in the West. The challenge 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 making considerably progress in the division standings.