Dodgers Keys to getting to the World Series
The halfway mark to the 2016 MLB regular season has finally arrived with all eyes upon the All-Star activities in San Diego.
As Dodgers fans will have their eyes on Kenley Jansen in his first All-Star selection, and rookie-sensation Corey Seager, who well represent the Dodgers again in the homerun derby, and as the youngest position player All-Star in franchise history.
Clayton Kershaw was also selected with All-Star honors for the sixth consecutive year, but won’t pitch as he looks to get off the DL, and continue to keep the Dodgers in the hunt for their fourth consecutive NL West title.
The Dodgers currently sit behind the Giants by 6.5 games in the NL West with 9 more games still to play until the end of the season.
So, the Dodgers have plenty of chances to take first place from the Giants and maybe as the top team in the National League.
That’s if they continue the success they had coming into the All-Star break.
Which consisted of the Dodgers starting pitchers limiting openents from getting on the scoreboard and letting the defense around them give support.
It also helps when the team is clicking on the offensive side of the ball, which gives the the starters plenty of time to get in a comfort zone, and take control of the game.
What is exactly what the Dodgers have done in the last three games against the Padres.
Yeah I know it comes against one of the five worst teams in the National League, but still.
The success of a couple of games for any team could drastically change the culture of any clubhouse from winning a World Series.
What could perhaps be the case for the Dodgers this season.
Let’s just get a look at what the Dodgers have in store for them.
The starting rotation is slowly getting back to it’s old dominate shape with the steady performances from Scott Kazmir, Kenta Maeda, Bud Norris, and Brandon McCarthy.
Hyun-jin Ryu on the other hand, may take some time to get back into his 2014 statue, but we’ll have to wait to see what he looks like in his next few starts, before anyone starts to panic.
On the bright side, Clayton Kershaw is set to come back sooner then later, and Brett Anderson could be joining the starting rotation some time in August.
The Dodgers are looking to acquire another starter like Rich Hill at the August 1st trade deadline, who could give the Dodgers a helping hand, as well as acquiring help in the bullpen, and maybe trading for more help on the offensive side of the ball, to help support the lineup.
Unless, Corey Seager continues to play at his current level for the rest of the season and the rest of the Dodgers lineup gets into form. Starting with Yasiel Puig, who will try to put a hold on the Dodgers trade thoughts and start to perform like he did when he got the nickname, the Wild Horse.
If the Dodgers could become a deadly force on the offensive side of the ball and the rotation continues to thrive with more success on daily base, this team could very well be a difficult team to face against deep into the season and could lead to some momentum that could help this team get back to the World Series.