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MLB Playoffs: Predicting the Nationals-Dodgers Divisional Series

By Greg Goldstein

September 25, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) celerbates with fans after the Dodgers clinch the National League West title following their victory against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
September 25, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) celerbates with fans after the Dodgers clinch the National League West title following their victory against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dodgers Roster

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Starting Pitchers

  1. Clayton Kershaw
  2. Rich Hill
  3. Kenta Maeda
  4. Julio Urias

Bullpen

  1. Kenley Jansen (Closer)
  2. Joe Blanton
  3. Pedro Baez
  4. Ross Stripling
  5. Luis Avilan
  6. Josh Fields
  7. Grant Dayton

Starting Lineup

  1. Chase Utley 2B
  2. Corey Seager SS
  3. Justin Turner 3B
  4. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
  5. Yasmani Grandal C
  6. Josh Reddick RF
  7. Andrew Toles LF
  8. Joc Pederson CF

Bench

  1. Howie Kendrick IF/OF
  2. Carlos Ruiz C
  3. Austin Barnes C/IF
  4. Yasiel Puig RF
  5. Andre Ethier OF
  6. Charlie Culberson IF

Meet the Los Angeles Dodgers! Where former middle of the order hitters Howie Kendrick, Andre Eithier, Carlos Ruiz and most surprisingly Yasiel Puig do not start. Yet, while their starting lineup may be a bit of a shocker if you looked at what the team had in March, its current construction is probably the best option.

Andrew Toles has seemingly come out of nowhere to hit for a .314 batting average in 48 games. Chase Utley has found his stroke again after a tough 2015 season too. He’s hitting a solid .252 with 14 homers. General manager Andrew Friedman is also starting to see the Josh Reddick he thought he would get when he traded for the former Oakland Athletic right before the trade deadline. The only issue that I have with this lineup overall is that it is lefty stacked, even though the Dodgers do have a couple of capable right-handed bats on the bench.

When Clayton Kershaw was on the disabled list, it seemed like a light flicked on for this team and I really don’t know how that makes sense. Manager Dave Roberts has done a tremendous job piecing together his rotation with Triple-A starters in order to maintain the team’s great play over the past few months of the season. Kenley Jansen and the bullpen have also thrown much better than expected, which helped the club get through some rough outings from their starting pitchers.

Now with their Cy Young winner back and trade acquisition Rich Hill making consistent starts, the Dodgers seem better positioned than ever for a run, but will they be able to get by a Nationals, who still are extremely talented and have home field advantage? Let’s take a look at who moves on in the MLB playoffs.

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