Colorado Rockies opponent insider preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 01: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during the third inning against the Houston Astros in game seven of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Today, we begin a series looking at the opponents that will be competing with the Colorado Rockies for the 2018 National League West title. It’s only fitting to start our look inside the West with the defending division and National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

At FanSided, we are fortunate to have experts on every team within our family, including the fine folks who oversee Dodgers Way. We reached out to co-experts Jacob Rudner and Michael Wittman Jr. with five questions about the Dodgers and asked for their predictions for the upcoming season.

The Dodgers and Rockies meet for the first time in 2018 from May 21-23 at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles will make its first appearance at Coors Field from June 1-3.

Rox Pile: What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of this year’s Dodgers team?

JR: The greatest strength of this year’s team is, far and away, its lineup from top to bottom and all the way through the minor leagues. Depth and prospects have been a strength for the Dodgers for the past five seasons and this year is no different.

As far as weaknesses go, I still think the biggest one is not necessarily with the players but more the hesitancy of the front office when big opportunities present themselves.

MW: I think the strength of the Dodgers is their position player depth. Even with Justin Turner out, the Dodgers have a top 10 lineup in baseball. The weakness could be the rotation depth. Walker Buehler is waiting in the wings but the Dodgers have some injury prone starters in Alex Wood and Hyun-Jin Ryu. Even Clayton Kershaw has had his injury battles the past few seasons.

Rox Pile: Is Matt Kemp back?

JR: Matt Kemp is back, here to stay, and 45 pounds lighter than last season. He has shown game after game this spring that he is a changed player and he is ready to contribute to the team in whatever way he can. His defense is still suspect and that could raise issues for him playing every day, but he will be a very solid platoon player at the very least.

MW: I think Matt Kemp has never left offensively. On offense, he can still be a middle of the order bat but the problem the Dodgers face is how much will he hurt the club defensively? If he can be close to average, his bat is still worth playing.

HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 27: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a double during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros in game three of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Rox Pile: How will Justin Turner’s injury impact the season?

JR: The Dodgers lost easily their best bat in Justin Turner for the first six to 10 weeks of the season. Turner is an on-field and off-field leader and his absence will definitely hurt the team. That being said, the organizational depth is still strong and Dodgers should be able to adequately patch the hole until he is ready to return.

MW: Assuming that the preliminary projections are right, Turner should be back by the middle of May. He missed a few weeks last year and the Dodgers were fine so I don’t think Turner’s injury will impact the Dodgers too much in the big picture. The Dodgers usually don’t start fast anyways.

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Rox Pile: Outside of Kershaw, what is the confidence level in this season’s rotation?

JR: I really think the Dodgers have one of the best rotations in baseball. As it stands right now, Alex Wood, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda, and Hyun-Jin Ryu are all good pitchers and they are behind arguably the best pitcher in the game. Also keep in mind the team is waiting for Walker Buehler to enter the starting five … and then I really think opposing teams are in trouble. So aside from injury issues, I think this year’s rotation is a very good one.

MW: I am not worried about the quality of the Dodgers starting pitchers outside of Kershaw. Wood, Hill, Maeda, and Ryu have all had success in the big leagues. What worries me is if they will all stay healthy. Outside of injury, I think the Dodgers have a top-three rotation in the National League.

Rox Pile: What are you predicting for the Dodgers this season?

JR: The Dodgers are dominant year after year and this season should be no exception. They have the same roster with the exception of a few players and I think they are poised to get right up against the century mark in terms of wins. Anything less than an NLCS appearance would be disappointing.

Next: Our seven bold predictions for the NL West in 2018

MW: With the lack of quality teams in the National League, I think the Dodgers will once again win 93-95 games at a minimum. As we all know, the playoffs are a crapshoot. I think the Dodgers will make it back to the NLCS but anything beyond that will depend on good breaks and no injuries.

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