- Publish date:
1 DODGERS
ENEMY LINES
A RIVAL SCOUT SIZES UP LOS ANGELES
Clayton Kershaw is the key. They need to get 200 innings from him. As long as he's Clayton Kershaw, they should be O.K.... Rich Hill is not a workhorse, but he looks healthy. He's really reinvented himself.... Walker Buehler could be like a trade-deadline acquisition when they bring him up, probably to add to the bullpen. He's got electric stuff, up to 100. He's got a plus curveball that's 20 miles an hour off his fastball.... Kenley Jansen is the best closer in the game, but you just worry about how much he's been used.... Will Chris Taylor hit 21 home runs again? I don't know, but he'll be disruptive on the bases.... There's a little concern with Corey Seager's elbow, but when he's on, he's an MVP candidate.... I expect another solid year from Justin Turner. He's the leader of the team.... Cody Bellinger got exposed a little in the World Series. His swing takes a big uppercut path, and Houston had a veteran staff that could exploit that.... Yasiel Puig has tools, but he's hard to trust. He can try to do too much at the plate.... You know who has had a great spring? Matt Kemp. If they want to platoon him with Joc Pederson, they could, and have Kiké Hernández as a late-inning defensive replacement.... Pederson has struggled in camp. He has a big swing, but he's got power and he's a solid defender.
THE PAYOFF PITCH
Let's keep it simple: The Dodgers have the best pitcher on the planet, one of the best pitchers ever, and he builds orphanages in his spare time. Clayton Kershaw, who in an off-year marred by back problems and a career-high home run rate, still led the NL in ERA (2.31) and finished second in Cy Young Award balloting. He's not just a stat generator, either; he is as watchable a pitcher as you'll find, with a high leg kick and a gorgeous 12-to-6 curve. His habit of berating himself for violations such as missing the corner by an inch or giving up a bloop single is charming too. Enjoy him now, Dodgers fans; Kershaw can opt out of his contract after the season and hit free agency, where he would almost surely become the game's first $40 million pitcher.
OVER / UNDER
96.5
It's a lot to ask a team to get over 96 wins—again. Rich Hill, Alex Wood and Chris Taylor had career years in 2017. L.A. is the West favorite but not quite a 97-win team.
THE LINEUP
FANTASY BREAKOUT
1. CENTERFIELD
Chris Taylor
.327 OBP/13 HR/16 SB
In '17, his first full season, he was one of only nine to hit at least 21 homers with 17 steals; he still has room to grow.
2. SHORTSTOP
Corey Seager
.487 SLG/24 HR/4 SB
3. THIRD BASE
Justin Turner
.372 OBP/22 HR/4 SB
4. FIRST BASE
Cody Bellinger
.515 SLG/36 HR/10 SB
5. LEFTFIELD
Matt Kemp
.270 BA/.470 SLG/17 HR
6. RIGHTFIELD
Yasiel Puig
.501 SLG/24 HR/11 SB
7. CATCHER
Yasmani Grandal
.329 OBP/.442 SLG/13 HR
8. SECOND BASE
Logan Forsythe
.242 BA/10 HR/3 SB
THE STAFF
1. LH STARTER
Clayton Kershaw
15 W/2.74 ERA/10.3 K9
2. LH STARTER
Alex Wood
9 W/3.50 ERA/1.23 WHP
3. RH STARTER
Kenta Maeda
8 W/4.14 ERA/1.22 WHP
4. LH STARTER
Rich Hill
10 W/3.63 ERA/1.20 WHP
CLOSER
Kenley Jansen
38 SV/2.77 ERA/12.6 K9
THE SKIPPER
Dave Roberts
