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2008 Los Angeles Dodgers Predictions & Season Preview

With Joe Torre calling the shots, Andruw Jones adding to the middle of the order, and Hiroki Kuroda stepping right into the rotation, I like the Dodgers to improve this season. Find out if they will improve enough to finish at the top of the NL West in my 2008 Los Angeles Dodgers predictions.

Starting Rotation/Bullpen

With Hiroki Kuroda on board, LA might just have a better starting five that the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ace Brad Penny will anchor the starting staff. He has put together back-to-back All-Star seasons and finished 16-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 2007. Derek Lowe pitched much better than his 12-14 record would indicate. His ERA was just 3.88, but the Blue and White scored just 30 runs in his 14 losses. Kuroda throws as many as eight different pitches, which makes it very hard for hitters to sit on anything. He also has a reputation of pitching late into games. If Jason Schmidt can return to the ace that he became in San Francisco, the Dodgers will be in good shape. Chad Billingsley will also be in the starting five. He is one of the top young pitchers in baseball. He went 12-5 with a 3.31 ERA for the Dodgers last season.

Takashi Saito should get the ball for the third straight season as Dodgers’ closer, but flame thrower Jonathan Broxton will be ready to step into that roll if Saito falters. The reliable Scott Proctor will be reunited with his former manager and could be the MVP of the pen.

Batting Order

Shortstop Rafael Furcal is expected to be healthy and I’m expecting a big season out of him in the lead off spot. His 25 stolen bases make him an asset at the top of the order. Leftfielder Juan Pierre is one of the best base stealers in the game. He had 64 thefts last season. Because of his speed, he needs to look for opportunities to bunt more often and must also show more patience at the plate to take free rides when they are given. Andruw Jones should fill the power void that the Dodgers have been missing. In a down year for the Braves, he still had 26 homeruns and 94 RBIs. With the prospects of winning high, I expect a big season from Jones. Jeff Kent is 40-years-old, but he can still stroke the baseball. Kent had 20 bombs and 79 RBIs in 136 games last season. He’s probably more suited for the AL at this stage in his career as he is a defensive liability. Rightfielder Andrew Ethier will likely beat out Matt Kemp for the starting spot. First baseman James Loney will bat sixth. He had 15 homeruns and 67 RBIs in 96 games after being called up from Triple-A Vegas. Catcher Russell Martin will likely move down in the order with a deeper lineup in 2008. He had 19 bombs and 87 RBIs last season to go with 21 steals and will likely be even more productive with less pressure on his shoulders to produce. Third baseman Nomar Garciaparra is the starter for now, but don’t be surprised if GM Ned Colletti tried to upgrade at the hot corner at the trade deadline.

LA’s additions to the meat of the order and the starting rotation make the Dodgers a force to be reckoned with in the West. And they bring in their highest profile manager since Lasorda. LA may need another season for everything to come together to win the West, but if this team finishes below second place, it greatly underachieved.

Jimmy Boyd’s MLB picks will make this the best baseball betting season of your career. If you’ve never played with a world champion handicapper before, you’re about to find out just how big of a difference it makes in your pocketbook. Lay down with Jimmy Boyd from Opening Day through the World Series and have yourself a season to remember.

Odds to win NL West: 3/1
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant: 7/1
Odds to win 2008 World Series: 25/1

Other Predictions for the 2008 Season:

Updated February 23rd, 2008