3 Things The Dodgers Need To Do To Improve In 2015
By Keith Rivas
An impressive 6-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Opening Day was a good sign of things to come for the Los Angeles Dodgers. With another game against the Padres tonight and a third one coming tomorrow, the first series of the season may prove to ultimately be the cornerstone for success of big blue moving forward — more specifically this season.
Assuming that Clayton Kershaw continues to perform at levels he’s been comfortable with (historic levels, mind you), there’s not too much to worry about when it comes to the stars that Los Angeles has aligned. Despite on and off success in regular seasons as of late, the Dodgers’ biggest woes have come because of a lack of efficient performances under the big lights in the post season.
Last year was the perfect example.
Here are three things that the Los Angeles Dodgers can do to improve the outcome of their season in 2015:
1. One Nation Under Kershaw
Apr 1, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
However it is that Clayton Kershaw performs is in large part a preview of how the Dodgers organization will fare in any given situation. For example, in the first round playoff match up against the St. Louis Cardinals, Kershaw went from one of the best pitchers in the game to looking like a rookie that forgot to tie his cleats.
Literally.
Many experts and analysts agreed that Kershaw was the National League MVP, but his numbers against St. Louis said otherwise. The 27-year old from Dallas, Texas fell almost too easily to a ready to go Cardinals offense that, to put it kindly, mowed through the Dodgers defense in moments when it mattered most.
And for a series that ended 3-1 in favor of St. Louis, the games were much closer than you’d imagine.
Game 1 went to St. Louis 10-9, followed by a 3-2 Dodger victory and then two subsequent losses by Los Angeles by scores of 3-1 and 3-2. This simple statistic shows us that the Dodgers were able to hang with the big boys until late moments and demonstrates just how easily pressure can get to even the best of players.
That being said, Kershaw needs to step up his game no matter what. No matter how good the Los Angeles pitching rotation is, he is their leader and statue of liberty.
If he goes down, Dodger nation goes with it.
2. Believe In The Dream
Apr 3, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) looks back after being forced out at first against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
If the Dodgers don’t believe in themselves, why should their fans?
One additional note from the end of the season and the Cardinals series is the fact that the Dodgers began to really look deflated. It didn’t matter which player or inning you glanced at, every time you saw them they didn’t seem too hyped to be there and looked like they honestly just wanted out.
Unfortunately, they got their wish.
The Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t seen the World Series since a series win against the Oakland A’s back in 1988 — and believe it or not, the St. Louis Cardinals have been responsible for three of the past six early postseason fall outs that the Dodgers have experienced.
Sounds like something needs to change.
The underdog San Francisco Giants found a way to knock off the Cardinals in the following NLCS last season as the final wild card team that barely scrapped its way into post season baseball — and if they can do it, there’s no reason that the Dodgers can’t figure out the bad birds because there has to be something deeper than just fowl play (pun intended).
This year could easily be the year that Los Angeles finally re-discovers playoff success. Off season addition Jimmy Rollins (from Philadelphia) proved fruitful in his first regular season game as a Dodger, knocking in key runs in the eighth to seal the deal against San Diego. Contributions from Rollins, Kershaw, and the absence of Matt Kemp — who, you guessed it, was shipped to the Padres — are going to determine whether or not the Dodgers can finally get rid of their demons.
And then some.
3. Reign Check
Mar 29, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong (32) after reaching first base during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
Other than the Cardinals in the playoffs, one big omen the Dodgers have had trouble conquering as of late is the San Francisco Giants in the regular season. Having won three of the last five World Series championships, the Giants have considerably improved with their consistency, perseverance, and overall development of new skills and players.
Believe me, the Dodgers have been taking notes.
Since the offense was lacking when it mattered most, Jimmy Rollins will hopefully be able to fill most of that hole. Also, Yasiel Puig will look to continue his hot streak as a Dodger that started with a bang and is a career that has reached it’s fizzle/no-fizzle moment.
What does that mean? Puig must act now.
Puig has put up a .304 batting average while knocking in 35 home runs under his name. A walk and two strikeouts against San Diego on Opening Day was not the Puig that we all know and love, and he knows that — or at least he should. Changing paces in the NL West thanks to a heavy-handed Padres team, a defending champion Giants team, and the always rowdy rivals in the Los Angeles Angels, the Dodgers need to be sure to practice what other teams have been preaching so that they can begin to reap the benefits.
And yes, the change starts now.