The Los Angeles Dodgers have been regular-season monsters over the last decade. They won 111 games in 2022 – the most of any team in baseball – and have won 217 regular season games combined over the last two seasons. The 2020 World Series winners don’t have as many rings as their dominance over this period suggests, so 2023 is a critical year to see if they can maintain their level of play.
The Dodgers begin their 2023 season with a pair of series at Dodger Stadium. The first is against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Los Angeles playing their home opener on Thursday, March 30. Their games against the Diamondbacks are immediately followed by a home set against the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers basically live at home in April, with further home slates against the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals before the month is out.
Here are three questions for the Dodgers ahead of the 2023 season.
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Three Key Questions
Can Gavin Lux be the man at short?
Lux has found himself contributing to the Dodgers’ continued success at second base thanks to the organization having a pair of All-Stars in Corey Seager and Trea Turner at shortstop. The Dodgers will be replacing their second $300 million shortstop in as many years in 2023, with Lux said to be excited to flip back to his natural position and show what he can do. The 25-year-old still has time on his side, but he must quickly prove he can be everything the two players were before him.
Are there issues with the rotation?
The word ‘issues’ is relative here. The Dodgers still have Julio Urias and Clayton Kershaw at the top of the rotation, a couple of pitchers that can power the team to wins on their own. There are also plenty of pieces behind the two headliners, though a few questions are floating around during spring training that need to be addressed. Tony Gonsolin was an All-Star last season but is recovering from an injury. The same is true of Dustin May, with his velocity being great after his Tommy John surgery but his control being a major issue. Noah Syndergaard will be nothing but a bonus if he can reclaim his lost velocity in a rotation that won’t need him to star.
Who is coming through the farm?
The Dodgers have one of the top farm systems in the game. Keith Law from The Athletic ranked it as the No. 1 farm system in baseball, while ESPN had seven Dodgers’ on their list of the top 100 farm system players in the game. Most top prospects are starting the season in low-A ball and are expected to be a while away from contributing. That doesn’t mean prospects won’t find their way up to the majors as the season progresses, so keep an eye on the young players coming through.
Upcoming Dodgers Home Games (Before the All-Star Break)
Thu, March 30 – Arizona Diamondbacks
Fri, March 31 – Arizona Diamondbacks
Sat, April 1 – Arizona Diamondbacks
Sun, April 2 – Arizona Diamondbacks
Mon, April 3 – Colorado Rockies
Tue, April 4 – Colorado Rockies
Fri, April 28 – St. Louis Cardinals
Sat, April 29 – St. Louis Cardinals
Sun, April 30 – St. Louis Cardinals
Mon, May 1 – Philadelphia Phillies
Tue, May 2 – Philadelphia Phillies
Wed, May 3 – Philadelphia Phillies
Fri, May 12 – San Diego Padres
Sat, May 13 – San Diego Padres
Sun, May 14 – San Diego Padres
Mon, May 29 – Washington Nationals
Tue, May 30 – Washington Nationals
Wed, May 31 – Washington Nationals
Fri, June 2 – New York Yankees
Sat, June 3 – New York Yankees
Sun, June 4 – New York Yankees
Tue, June 13 – Chicago White Sox
Wed, June 14 – Chicago White Sox
Thu, June 15 – Chicago White Sox
Fri, June 16 – San Francisco Giants
Sat, June 17 – San Francisco Giants
Sun, June 18 – San Francisco Giants
Mon, July 3 – Pittsburgh Pirates
Tue, July 4 – Pittsburgh Pirates
Wed, July 5 – Pittsburgh Pirates
Thu, July 6 – Pittsburgh Pirates
Fri, July 7 – Los Angeles Angels
Sat, July 8 – Los Angeles Angels
