Los Angeles Dodgers: 2018 Review, Kershaw Window Closing?
By Max Neibaur
The Los Angeles Dodgers 2018 Offense Barely Deep Enough To Make MLB Playoffs
Outstanding Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop and middle-of-the-order batter Corey Seager underwent season-ending Tommy John elbow surgery on May 6 in addition to the surgery he had on his torn hip labrum.
If Manny Machado played as well as Manny Ramirez did for the team as a rental in 2008, the Dodgers might have more interest in signing him for 2019 and beyond. Seager might never play to his former expectations, and, if he did, LA could move Machado back to third base where he is probably a better defender anyway.
However, Machado struggled in the 2018 MLB Playoffs. So, even though the Dodgers have a history of working with quirky personalities such as Ramirez and their own Yasiel Puig, committing hundreds of millions of dollars to Machado is not in their future.
Machado hurt his own brand by drawing negative attention during the 2018 NLCS when he talked about not hustling and consistently broke baseball etiquette on the field.
On the other hand, Cody Bellinger made some extra fans by coming up with game-changing plays and hits in the 2018 MLB Playoffs despite having a down season compared to his magnificent 2017 rookie campaign.
Two big surprises helped the Dodgers offense during the first half of the season.
Matt Kemp had a statistical resurgence that led to a .522 SLG during the first half of the season.
For the most part, the Los Angeles Dodgers went as Matt Kemp went. His OPS was 1.017 in Dodgers wins and .560 in their losses.
LA also got a pick-me-up from signing Max Muncy after the Oakland A’s gave up on and cut him.
Muncy provided a major power boost to the Dodgers. He led LA in home runs with 35 and led the league in homers per at-bat. Although Muncy provided four RBIs during the 2018 NLDS, strong pitching from the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS and Boston Red Sox in the World Series. neutralized him.
Muncy might not be an everyday player in the MLB unless he can make more contact moving forward, but he had a big impact on the 2018 Dodgers season.
Justin Turner puts up great numbers in the middle of the Los Angeles Dodgers order when healthy. However, he has never played more than 151 games in a season and played just 103 in 2018.
Turner looks like the type of player Ryan Braun turned into later in his career. The Dodgers could find consistent and reliable success by watching his games played in the future like the Brewers do for Braun.
Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts did a fine job using the players he had healthy to the best of their ability. Manny injuries caused LA to test its depth. As of late August, the Dodgers saw themselves out of the 2018 MLB Playoffs picture, but they held on and made a run all the way into another World Series.
Much of the Dodgers 2018 success comes from its deep pitching staff.