Friday, September 27, 2024
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2024
The Los Angeles Dodgers overcame many injuries to become the National League Western Division champions, their 11th title since 2013. The Dodgers should have a week off before the postseason starts. Usually, they don’t need a week off, but this season the Dodgers’ pitchers need to have a rest.
If Walker Buehler didn’t step up in Thursday’s start against the San Diego Padres, the Dodgers will have a major problem for starting pitching. Before the season began in South Korea on March 20th, nobody thought the Dodgers would be running out of starters. The Dodgers have used forty pitchers.
If the NLDS started today, the Dodgers’ starting rotation of Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack. Clayton Kershaw can’t pitch in the NLDS because of the inflammation in his left big toe. Tyler Glasnow will not appear in the 2024 postseason with a sprained right elbow. Bobby Miller never had his strike with the inflammation of his right shoulder. Emmet Sheehan, Kyle Hurt, and River Ryan have Tommy John surgeries.
Since the Dodger starting rotation was questionable, the bullpen performed well and a lot. The Dodgers expected Brusdar Graterol to play a major role in the bullpen, but he had an inflamed right shoulder and a strained hamstring. When Graterol couldn’t pitch, Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips stepped up. Blake Treinen and Daniel Hudson’s remarkable returns helped make the Dodger bullpen good. The Dodger front office’s willingness to get Anthony Banda and Michael Kopech took the bullpen from ordinary to excellent.
When a team didn’t have Max Muncy missing 3 months with a stubborn oblique strain and Mookie Betts missing 2½ months with a broken hand, they aren’t supposed to win a divisional title. However, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Gavin Lux, and Miguel Rojas stepped up and helped to make up for their absence.
Shohei Ohtani is the true MVP of the Dodgers, probably the National League. Every time the Dodgers needed a big hit, Ohtani delivered. When Muncy and Betts were out, Ohtani began stealing bases to help his team manufacture enough runs to win. His 53home runs and 56 stolen bases were amazing accomplishments and helped the Dodgers win the division.
At times, Will Smith struggled offensively but never took his struggles behind the plate. He regularly threw out potential base stealers. He guided many pitchers, including rookies, through games. His defense was crucial for the Dodgers’ success. On Thursday, Smith blasted his 20th home run to tie the game and ignited the Dodger 5-run rally.
The acquisition of Tommy Edman was crucial to the Dodger late-season success. He can play anywhere and produces offensively. In his 128 at-bats, Edman has a .258 batting average with 6 home runs and 19 RBI.
Teoscar Hernández chose to play for the Dodgers over other teams. He responded to the most important parts of games. He has a .268 batting average with 31 home runs and 94 RBI. His ever-present smile helped the Dodgers to get through the difficult times.
Nobody knows what the future holds for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Everyone should celebrate the Dodgers’ National League Western Division championship.
