NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Dodgers enter the 2023 season with the bitter taste of losing to the San Diego Padres in the Divisional round of the playoffs after winning a club record 111 games in 2022. The 2023 roster will look different for Dodger fans as Cody Bellinger, Trea Turner, and Justin Turner are no longer with the club. Gavin Lux was expected to replace Trea Turner at shortstop but is lost for the season after tearing his ACL early in spring training. The Dodgers signed Miguel Rojas in the offseason and he, along with Chris Taylor should see action at the shortstop position. With Justin Turner signing in Boston, Max Muncy is expected to see a majority of playing time at 3rd base. The Dodgers are looking for Muncy to bounce back from 2022 where he hit .196 with 21 home runs. The Dodgers signed free agent J.D. Martinez to be the primary DH in the lineup.
With Muncy moving to 3rd base, rookie Miguel Vargas is expected to be the everyday 2nd baseman. Though he struggled when called up late last season, Vargas is one of the top prospects in the Dodgers famed minor league system and the team is confident Vargas will produce at the big league level. Freddie Freeman will be the Dodgers 1st baseman. Entering his 2nd season with the club, Freeman has already felt the warm embrace of Dodger fans as he looks to continue his stellar play.
In the Dodgers outfield, Mookie Betts looks to play at an MVP level as he patrols right field. Dodger fans should expect to see Betts play some games at 2nd base during the season. James Outman, who was not expected to make the big league roster going into spring training, is expected to be the primary centerfielder. Jason Heyward should see playing time against right-handed pitching. In left field, the Dodgers brought in free agent David Peralta. He and Trayce Thompson are expected to platoon in left field this season. Will Smith will be the starting catcher, with Austin Barnes as his backup. For the past couple of seasons, the Dodgers have used Barnes as the primary catcher when Clayton Kershaw pitches and is expected to have the same role this season.
In the starting rotation, the Dodges lost 15-game winner Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney to free agency. Walker Buehler is expected to miss the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, though he has begun a throwing program in Arizona. There is a slight chance Buehler may be available in September, though those chances are slim. The Dodgers signed free agent Noah Syndergaard to add to the rotation. The Dodgers have had a history of bringing in free-agent pitchers and pitching coach Mark Prior and his staff have been able to work on the pitchers’ mechanics and have seen improvement while with the Dodgers. Syndergaard is expected to have the same results with the club as he enters his 2nd year after Tommy John surgery.
The Dodgers announced that Julio Urias will be the opening-day starter. Urias, who has won 37 games in the past 2 seasons, is expected to take the mantle of the ace of the staff. Future 1st ballot Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw came into spring training healthy and looked very sharp in his last spring training start. Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin were expected to fill the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation. Gonsolin injured his ankle in spring training and will not be available for the start of the season. Ryah Pepiot won the job as the 5th starter. Dodger fans should expect to see Michael Grove, Gavin Stone, and Bobby Miller to be called up during the season and see action in the starting rotation. The rotation looks as follows
Julio Urias
Clayton Kershaw
Noah Syndergaard
Dustin May
Ryan Pepiot
The Dodges lost a key piece in their bullpen as Blake Treinen is expected to miss most if not all of the 2023 season dealing with a shoulder injury. Craig Kimbrel left via free agency, leaving the Dodgers in the need of a closer. The Dodgers did sign Alex Reyes, who has closer experience, though he is not expected to be available until around the All-Star break. Manager Dave Roberts is expected to go with closer by committee and will have Evan Philips, Shelby Miller, and Phil Bickford, among others to fill in as a closer throughout the season.
Prediction
With key players leaving the Dodgers via free agency, the team is expected to have a letdown season. The Dodgers have mixed in a good group of young players to go along with a talented group of veterans. This season promises to be exciting in the NL West as the Padres of loaded their roster and expect to battle the Dodgers all season for the NL West title. Dodger fans should not expect a 111-win season in 2023. The Dodgers will be in the mix for the division title and well as the NL pennant. Look for the Dodgers to finish the season with 95 wins and claim another division title in 2023.
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