2012 Los Angeles Dodgers Predictions

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have won at least 80 games each of the past six seasons, making them the most consistent team in the NL West in recent years. They have three division titles to show for their recent run of success but haven’t done better than third the last two years.

Projected Pitching

Starting rotation: Clayton Kershaw (L) – Kershaw, who is just 24 years of age, has quickly established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball. He won the NL Cy Young in 2011 while posting a 21-5 record and 2.28 ERA.

Chad Billingsley (R) – Billingsley’s drop off is one of the reasons the Dodgers have sunk in the NL West. Since a promising 2008 campaign, in which he went 16-10 with a 3.14 ERA, he has gone just 35-33 with a 3.94 ERA. His 4.21 ERA in 2011 was the worst of his career.

Ted Lilly (R) – Steady Teddy gives the Dodgers an experienced performer in the middle of the rotation. He won 12 games and posted a 3.97 ERA last season.

Aaron Harang (R) – Harang had been on the decline since 2007, but he showed some life last season by going 14-7 with a 3.64 ERA. Similar production would certainly help the Dodgers’ chances in the west.

Chris Capuano (R) – Capuano won 11 games for the Mets last year but posted a 4.55 ERA and gave up 27 home runs.

Closer: Javy Guerra (R) – Guerra was consistent to say the least, converting 21 of 23 save opportunities after landing the closer job late last season.

Projected Lineup

A.J. Ellis (Catcher) – Ellis must perform well behind the plate because he doesn’t provide much at the plate. He batted .271 last year but has just two home runs and 27 RBI in 75 games over the past two seasons.

James Loney (First Base) – Loney saw a decline in production in 2011. He batted .288 but only drove in 65 runs. He had at least 88 RBI each of the previous three seasons.

Mark Ellis (Second Base) – Ellis played some pretty solid ball for Oakland from 2005-2010, but it appears the 34-year-old has already played his best baseball. Whatever the Dodgers can get out of Ellis at the plate is a plus. He batted just .248 a year ago.

Juan Uribe (Third Base) – Uribe was a big disappointment in his first season with the Dodgers. After blasting 24 home runs and totaling 85 RBI with the Giants in 2010, he only batted .204 with four homers and 28 RBI in 77 games in 2011.

Dee Gordon (Shortstop) – Big things are expected of the 23-year-old, who batted .304 with 24 stolen bases in 56 games last season.

Juan Rivera (Left Field) – Rivera batted .274 with 46 RBI in 62 games after coming over from Toronto last season. That audition has earned him the starting job in left.

Matt Kemp (Center Field) – Kemp is coming off some kind of a season. Not only did he win the Gold Glove in center, he batted .324 with 39 round trippers (led NL), 126 RBI (led the majors) and 40 stolen bases.

Andre Ethier (Right Field) – The Dodgers desperately need Ethier at his best in order to steal the West. He batted .292 in 2011 but only had 11 home runs and 62 RBI. Consider that he had at least 20 homers and 77 RBI the previous three seasons.

Prediction3rd Place NL West: The Dodgers are capable of winning the West, but it won’t be easy. The Giants and Diamondbacks both appear to have better pitching staffs. Kershaw is legit ace, but the rest of the rotation doesn’t quite stack up. The Dodgers will need big seasons from Billingsley and Harang to contend. The Dodgers are listed at +350 to win the NL West.

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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