In a clubhouse filled with superstars earning nine-figure contracts, the most indispensable player for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season might be the one making close to the league minimum. While Shohei Ohtani commands headlines and Freddie Freeman keeps adding to his offensive legacy, it’s 24-year-old Andy Pages who is quietly shouldering a huge share of the offensive load.
Continue reading “Andy Pages Delivering When Dodgers Need It Most”
After nearly two years away from the mound, Shohei Ohtani is finally getting closer to pitching at the major league level again. The question isn’t whether he can still dominate hitters — it’s whether the Los Angeles Dodgers actually need (or want) him to.
Ohtani recently took a significant step forward by throwing 22 pitches to five batters in a simulated game before the team’s matchup with the New York Mets last week, marking his first time facing hitters off a mound since his elbow surgery in September 2023. That was before he threw two innings of live batting practice to Los Angeles minor league batters before Saturday’s middle game against the Yankees.
When Dustin May takes the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, his electric stuff is undeniable — a high-90s sinker with exceptional movement, a devastating curveball and a cutter that keeps hitters constantly off-balance. Although his velocity isn’t quite as high as the days before his last elbow surgery, his spin rate is still as impressive as ever. Yet the right-hander’s career has been defined as much by his time in the trainer’s room as his time on the pitching rubber.
Continue reading “Contemplating Dustin May’s Uncertain Future with the Los Angeles Dodgers”
The starting rotation of the Los Angeles Dodgers has entered a new era, as a true ace has not yet emerged to replace the legendary Clayton Kershaw, who shouldered the role for nearly a decade. With Kershaw’s health concerns and diminished role, several high-profile arms now vie for the coveted status as the staff’s undisputed leader. From Japanese stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki and Shohei Ohtani to the questionable health of Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, the race remains wide open.
Continue reading “Dodgers Starting Rotation: Who Will Emerge as Next Ace?”
As the MLB hot stove continues to percolate, there are still a slew of factors that could affect how the Opening Day roster for the Los Angeles Dodgers shapes up in 2025. More specifically, there are various scenarios that could affect where some players appear regularly on the field.
What we know for certain, as far as position players go, is that Shohei Ohtani will do the bulk of the designated hitting, Freddie Freeman will be at first base, Will Smith will be behind the plate and newly acquired Michael Conforto will see time at the corner outfield spots. It’s also highly likely that Max Muncy will be the club’s regular third baseman.
Continue reading “Dodgers Roster: Early Thoughts on 2025 Outfield”
The Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday afternoon made the signing of Blake Snell official, revealing that they snagged the 31-year-old lefty to a five-year, $182 million contract after he opted out of his current two-year deal with rival San Francisco.
For front-office boss Andrew Friedman and his crew, this acquisition represents more than just adding another high-quality arm — it spearheads what could be a productive offseason that sets the team up for a run at another World Championship.
Continue reading “More Thoughts on Blake Snell Signing With Dodgers”
In the storied history of the MLB, few seasons have captured the imaginations of fans like Shohei Ohtani‘s 2024 campaign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. While UCL surgery may have temporarily silenced his pitching arsenal, Ohtani responded by orchestrating perhaps the most remarkable offensive season in baseball’s modern era — one that culminated in his third Most Valuable Player award, an achievement as unprecedented as the player himself.
Continue reading “Dodgers 2025 Roster: What Lies Ahead for Shohei Ohtani?”
In a stunning display of talent during the 2024 regular season, Shohei Ohtani captivated the baseball world by belting an astonishing 52 home runs while swiping 53 bases — with the totals still growing. This unprecedented feat solidified his status as one of the game’s premier superstars and raised expectations for his impact in the upcoming playoffs.
As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for October, the question looms: Can Ohtani carry the team to glory or are there too many holes in the roster for the team to succeed?
Continue reading “Can Shohei Ohtani Carry Dodgers Through 2024 Playoffs?”
With so many question marks surrounding the current state of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting rotation, the spotlight intensifies on the bullpen’s ability to rise to the occasion and carry the team through the critical stretch of the season. The performance of the relief crew is often directly influenced by the starting rotation, especially when starters struggle to pitch deep into games.
Continue reading “Dodgers Roster: How Long Can the Bullpen Hold Up?”
Last week, we delved into how crucial starting pitching is for the success of the Los Angeles Dodgers as they approach the 2024 playoffs. Since that time, both Clayton Kershaw and Gavin Stone have landed on the injured list, impacting the outlook of the postseason starting rotation. Now, as the team gears up for the final stretch of the regular season, the spotlight is shifting to their offense.
Think Blue Planning Committee 