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MLB Predictions / Previews: L.A. Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers were stuck in neutral until they acquired a player who might just be the best right-handed hitter in MLB history, Manny Ramirez. Now the Dodgers have morphed from a pitching team to a hitting team…

MLB Team Preview – Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers were stuck in neutral until they acquired a player who might just be the best right-handed hitter in Major League Baseball history. They were a small-ball team until they acquired Manny Ramirez at the trade deadline last season but now that he’s here for the long haul, MLB betting fans know that the Dodgers will be as well.

In the span of just under one year, MLB betting fans watched the Dodgers morph from a team that was carried by its pitching to a team that is now carried by its hitting.

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The Dodgers pitching staff lost innings eaters Brad Penny and Derek Lowe in the offseason, which is a bit of a concern as they turn to younger, less experienced starters.

The rotation will be led by Chad Billingsley, who is only entering his third full season in the Majors, while raw but talented prospects like Clayton Kershaw and James McDonald will be heavily relied upon as well. Rounding out the rotation will be savvy veterans Randy Wolf and Hiroki Kuroda.

While the pitching is still good, it lacks an elite arm that can carry this team – particularly in the playoffs. Billingsley and Kershaw have that potential, but they just haven’t proven it quite yet.

But the Dodgers might be able to get by with lesser pitching this season simply because of their batting order.

What used to be a young, burgeoning lineup full of prospects is now a group of dangerous, versatile young hitters. MLB betting fans watched the Dodgers lineup grow by leaps and bounds last season, particularly after the arrival of Ramirez. He has had a ripple effect on the lineup, which is now among the best in the business.

Rafael Furcal re-signed and is now fully healthy, which gives the Dodgers a reliable leadoff man. Behind him is Orlando Hudson, who also provides average and speed to set the table.

Then comes the big boppers as Ramirez, Andre Ethier, Russell Martin, Matt Kemp and James Loney all have at least – or close to – 20 home run potential.

The Dodgers also did some addition by subtraction, which is often a term used in football betting.

Gone are Andruw Jones (bought out) and Jeff Kent (retirement) and, although Juan Pierre is on the roster, he’s not as much of a factor.

That subtracts a few parts that have been replaced with blossoming parts in the starting lineup, and those starters were replaced with competent role players on the bench.

MLB betting fans know that the Dodgers are a complete team. They have good enough pitching to support their stellar batting lineup and that alone should get them into the playoffs in a weak National League West division.

Manager Joe Torre has led a team to the playoffs in 12 straight season and look for that streak to be extended by at least one more year this season. 

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Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"

One reply on “MLB Predictions / Previews: L.A. Dodgers”

The Dodgers with Manny are the best team in the NL West. I still think the Diamondbacks will stay right up there with them, but LA remains the team to beat.

Joe Torre has a proven history of managing teams that are expected to win, as well as getting the most of the talent he has.

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