The Los Angeles Dodgers completed one thing that had not occurred since 1999 — turning into back-to-back World Sequence champions.
The Dodgers needed to work for that second title. They wanted to win the final two video games on the highway and have been two outs away from relinquishing the crown to the Toronto Blue Jays. Two extra-inning video games — a marathon 18-inning Sport 3 and an exciting 11-inning Sport 7 — proved to be the distinction because the Dodgers emerged victorious in each.
The Dodgers are additionally in spectacular form heading into the offseason. Their core will return intact. A deep farm system, coupled with an possession group with a willingness to spend as a lot because it takes to win, will make sure that the Dodgers stay one of many favorites to take residence the championship for years to return.
Three questions dealing with the Los Angeles Dodgers heading into the offseason
1. Is Roki Sasaki the Dodgers nearer of the current and future?
Sasaki had been one of many extra ballyhood prospects to return from Japan in latest historical past. As an alternative, he struggled together with his adjustment stateside, posting a 4.72 ERA and a 1.485 WHiP over 34.1 innings as a starter, placing out 24 batters with 22 walks earlier than being shut down with a proper shoulder impingement. After making a pair of aid appearances on the finish of the season, Sasaki emerged as one of many Dodgers extra dependable relievers within the postseason, taking up the nearer function as he posted a 0.84 ERA and a 1.031 WHiP over 10.1 innings.
The nearer function suited Sasaki properly as his fastball velocity returned and his splitter was more practical. Sasaki can be a cheap possibility for the ninth inning ought to the Dodgers need to take that path. Nevertheless, with closers comparable to Edwin Diaz and Pete Fairbanks out there in free company, the Dodgers might look so as to add a confirmed commodity and see if Sasaki can succeed stateside as a starter.
2. Will Tarik Skubal be heading to Los Angeles?
The Detroit Tigers ace is underneath group management for yet one more yr. Whereas the Tigers might need to hold Skubal in Detroit, the 2 sides could also be as far as $300M apart in extension discussions. As such, the expectation is that the Tigers will look to commerce their ace in the course of the offseason to maximise their return.
Realistically, the Dodgers don’t want Skubal. Their rotation has a formidable quartet in Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. Nevertheless, the Dodgers even have the top-ranked farm system in baseball. They can make the Tigers a proposal they can not refuse, giving the Dodgers the very best rotation seen within the majors for years.
3. Will the Dodgers make a run at Kyle Tucker to repair their outfield?
The Dodgers have two of the very best outfield prospects in baseball in Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope, ranked 13th and 20th, respectively, by MLB.com. Neither participant is near the majors by way of growth, making the outfield the most important query mark on the Dodgers.
In idea, the Dodgers have one a part of the outfield equation set in Tommy Edman. Whereas priceless as a utility man, Edman might take over as the first middle fielder. Teoscar Hernandez might play both nook spot within the outfield as Ohtani is locked in because the DH.
Including Tucker, who posted a .266/.377/.464 batting line with 22 homers and 25 doubles with 25 steals over 597 plate appearances, would lengthen the lineup and enhance their protection in proper. The Dodgers need to construct a juggernaut and proceed their World Sequence run and Tucker may very well be the piece to place them again excessive.
