The L.A. Dodgers have been almost perennial contenders since a drought in the 1990s and eary 2000s. Since 2004, the Dodgers have won 12 of the 19 National League West crowns – and they have won nine of the last ten, with the only exception coming in 2021, when the Dodgers were edged out by the San Francisco Giants, only to get revenge by beating the Giants in the NL Division Series. Despite winning 111 games in 2022, tying a record that has stood since 1906, the Dodgers went down, 3-1, to San Diego in the NL Division Series. Over the last ten years, the Dodgers have only turned all that success into three pennants and one World Series title. Let’s break down some MLB betting prediction for the Dodgers this year as you plan out your online betting.
MLB News: 2023 Predictions for the L.A. Dodgers
The Dodgers snag a wild card and lose in the Division Series
The San Diego Padres have made better moves in the off-season, starting with the extension for Manny Machado and Yu Darvish and bringing in starting pitcher Michael Wacha on a one-year deal. Bringing DH Nelson Cruz to town on a one-year deal is an intriguing addition for a team that already has a fearsome lineup. The Dodgers should win 95+ games on the season, but that won’t be enough to take the division title, and the team’s reliance on Clayton Kershaw will burn the team in the postseason once again.
Julio Urias will finish top-3 for the NL Cy Young, but Clayton Kershaw will fade
Julio Urias was a finalist for the Cy Young last year. Clayton Kershaw has three Cy Young trophies at home. Urias led the National League in ERA last year, and even though Kershaw only started 22 games, he did have a nice 2.28 ERA. Kershaw is entering his 15th season, though, and many of those seasons have extended a month or more into the postseason, and the wear and tear that has gathered on his arm will cause him to fade down the stretch this year.
Freddie Freeman will hit 40 home runs
Freddie Freeman hit just 21 home runs a year ago. However, he hit 38 in 2019 and 31 in 2021. A major difference for 2023 is the ban against the shift, which will let Freeman focus on pulling the ball again. Having to focus less on hitting to the opposite field and avoiding the shift should allow him to add power back to his swing, and the Dodgers have a hitter-friendly park, as do the Giants and the Padres – and the Rockies play at elevation and have a lousy pitching staff.
Miguel Vargas will win NL Rookie of the Year
Bobby Miller and Diego Cartaya are also legitimate ROY contenders, but Cartaya will not have many opportunities with the talent ahead of him at catcher, and Miller will start at Triple-A or make the big league team as a sixth starter or long reliever. Vargas should be the everyday starer at second base. He has sneaky power and solid contact ability with his bat, and while his defense is still a work in progress, that’s less of an issue at second than it is at shortstop or third.
Gavin Lux has a breakout season
Lux will move to shortstop this season, which brings pressure – but which could also bring significant opportunity. Last year, he hit .276 and posted a .745 OPS, and if he can keep those numbers steady and defend his position well, he could appear on the All-Star team as a backup player, even though he won’t get the votes to start at shortstop.
2023 Prediction
Wild Card, lose in NLDS
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