It wouldn’t have taken a lot for the Dodgers to retain their place because the bona fide finest group within the Nationwide League West. In spite of everything, they’d received greater than 100 video games in every of the final three full seasons and 4 of the final 5. Their roster was constructed to succeed proper now and for an extended rattling time. So what in the event that they misplaced a number of key items? Their farm system and immense payroll would maintain them on the high of the division, particularly contemplating just one group — the Padres — was an instantaneous risk.

Properly, the Padres are not only a risk, they’re severe contenders, with arguably a greater lineup. Certain, the Dodgers nonetheless maintain the sting of their rotation, however Los Angeles hasn’t confronted such a menacing lineup in a number of, a number of years. Bogaerts, Soto, Machado, Tatís, Jake Cronenworth, Trent Grisham. That’s the stuff of nightmares. How do the Dodgers counter? Mookie Betts (pictured), Will Smith, and Freddie Freeman are nice. Then, who? 35-year-old J.D. Martinez (pictured)? Miguel Rojas? Two males who simply had the worst seasons of their careers in Chris Taylor and Max Muncy? I don’t like it.