While the Los Angeles Dodgers came up short of reaching the World Series for the third straight season, the longtime NL West residents did manage to win their seventh straight division title before bowing out against eventual World Series champion Washington in five thrilling NLDS matchups. Let’s check the MLB Odds and World Series Odds for the Los Angeles Lakers 2020 Season.
Los Angeles Dodgers Analysis Before 2020 Season Start
Now, with the Dodgers awaiting the start of the 2020 MLB regular season, all eyes will be on LA after they managed to land one of the brightest stars in all of baseball this offseason. Now, let’s take a look at the perennially-powerful Dodgers and what we can expect out of Los Angeles once the 2020 campaign does get underway.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2020 MLB Season Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers Offensive Analysis
The Dodgers went a franchise record best 106-56 a year ago to claim their seventh straight NL West title. Los Angeles finished the 2019 campaign ranked fifth in scoring (5.47 rpg), 10th in team batting average (.257), fourth in OPS (.81) and an identical fourth in home runs (279).
Cody Bellinger hit .305 with 47 home runs and 115 RBI to win the NL MVP award. 29-year-old first baseman Max Muncy hit 35 home runs while driving in 98 runs. Veteran center fielder Joc Pederson hit 36 homers while driving in 74 runs while third baseman Justin Turner added 27 homers with 67 RBI while batting .290. Last, but not least, the Dodgers are expecting some big contributions from young catcher Will Smith after he smacked 15 homers and drove in 42 runs in 54 games as a rookie. Finally, the Dodgers landed 2017 AL MVP winner Mookie Betts in a huge trade with Boston. Betts hit .295 for the Red Sox last season with 29 home runs and 80 RBI while smacking 40 doubles and adding 16 stolen bases for good measure.
Los Angeles Dodgers Defensive Analysis
As good as they were offensively a year ago, the Dodgers were even better defensively in ranking first in team ERA (3.39), first in WHIP (1.10), eighth in strikeouts per game (8.37) and fifth in quality starts (80). Aging staff ace lefty Clayton Kershaw went 16-5 with a fine, 3.08 ERA in 28 starts spanning 178.1 innings. Young right-hander Walker Buehler was fantastic in his third season in the bigs by going 14-4 with a 3.26 ERA. Not only that, but the Dodgers also landed five-time All-Star and 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner David Price in the Mookie Betts trade after he went 7-5 for Boston last season with a 4.28 ERA. Rounding out the starting rotation are veteran left-hander Julio Urias and Alex Wood. LA also has a rock-solid bullpen, although they clearly lost confidence in closer Kenley Jansen in last season’s playoffs.
Los Angeles Dodgers Offseason Movements
Acquired OF Mookie Betts and LHP David Price and cash considerations from Boston for OF Alex Verdugo, INF Jeter Downs and C Connor Wong. Agreed to terms with INF-OF Chris Taylor on a two-year contract. Agreed to terms with INF Max Muncy on a three-year contract. Acquired INF Clayton Daniel from the Chicago Cubs for RHP Casey Sadler. Agreed to terms with LHP Alex Wood on a one-year contract. Agreed to terms with RHP Ross Stripling; LHP Julio Urias; INF/OF Cody Bellinger; INF/OF Kiko Hernandez and INF Corey Seager on one-year contracts. Agreed to terms with RHP Jimmy Nelson on a one-year contract.
Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction
The Dodgers have completely ruled the NL West with an iron hand the last seven seasons and I don’t see anyway they fail to make it eight straight division titles in 2020. Los Angeles is loaded with talented pitchers. Both in the starting rotation and bullpen. Not only that, but their addition of 2017 AL MVP winner Mookie Betts to go along with reigning NL MVP winner Cody Bellinger makes the Dodgers one of the most dangerous offensive ballclubs in the majors. LA will easily win the NL West to reach the playoffs and I suspect they’re a near-lock to reach the NLCS as well. In the end, if you plan on backing the Dodgers to win it all in 2020, you’ll be making a great MLB futures odds wager.
