I just had a chance to watch the MLB Network's preview of the 2012 Los Angeles Dodgers. The Baseball Prospectus and the MLB Network predicted the Dodgers would just be average this year. The Baseball Prospectus predicted a 78-84 finish and in last place in the National League West. Mitch Williams and Larry Bowa predicted a few games over .500 finish and 3rd place in the National League West.
A lot of variables go into a major league season with injuries probably being the number one variable. The Cincinnati Reds have already lost newly signed closer Ryan Madson for the season due to an elbow injury. No one can predict how San Francisco Giants Catcher Buster Posey will bounce back from his leg injury.
The Dodgers have come out of Spring Training relatively injury free with the exception of Blake Hawksworth and Matt Guerrier and the normal pulls and tweaks. The position players are all coming out relatively intact and that is a good sign.
The Dodgers 25 man roster was virtually set going into camp with the exception of a reserve outfield and infield position and a couple of bullpen spots. They have Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw leading the charge and I believe they can win the National League West. They will have to win with what they have coming out of Spring Training. There is not much available from the minors so any major injuries and the season could go down the tubes quickly.
This is year number two of Don Mattingly's reign as Dodgers skipper and they finished strong last year and it would be great to start out fast and get to the All-Star break within about 5 games of first place.
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