Every year in every sport, a “paper” champ is stated before the season starts. As in, “on paper, (fill in the blank) appears like the very best group in the league.” Before the 2024 MLB season started, for the majority of prognosticators, this paper champ was the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In addition to reviving the significant elements that got the club to the NLDS in 2023, the Dodgers chose to gamble on a gamer called Shohei Ohtani, offering him an agreement comparable to the GDP of lots of nations. It’s safe to state that Los Angeles’ financial investment is up until now settling perfectly, as Ohtani is having his finest year in practically all offending classifications, consisting of hits, crowning achievement and RBI. Plus, he simply taped the very first 50-50 season in MLB history.
Regardless of Ohtani’s heroics, nevertheless, the Dodgers aren’t running away with their department, nor do they have the very best record in baseball. While the group has actually prospered on offense– its.254 group batting average benefits 5th in the league– its pitching has actually left a lot to be preferred. At 3.93, the Dodgers’ group ERA is just 14th-best in MLB.
A lot of L.A.’s pitching problems have actually been injury-related. The group has actually put a number of beginners on the hurt list this summertime, with Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow possibly being not able to return this season. With a scarcity of beginners, is it possible that the Dodgers would send out Ohtani out to the mound throughout the playoffs simply a little over a year after significant elbow surgical treatment?
“Anything is possible,” stated supervisor Dave Roberts. “We’ve still got a great deal of work to get to October and through October. I hope that’s on his mind as far as inspiration for his rehabilitation. The chances of it coming to pass are extremely slim. They’re not no.”
Maybe influenced by the glamour and appeal of La Land, Roberts included, “If I was scripting a film or composing a book, it would be a no-brainer that he comes out of rehab and tosses the last pitch.”
Would the Dodgers hand the ball to a rusty Ohtani in a huge area? Or, more notably, would they run the risk of the health of a gamer with a performance history of injuries that they simply made a significant 10-year dedication to? Most likely not.
Would they toss this concept out there as a bit of an intimidation aspect? Perhaps an opportunity to get in the heads of their future challengers long before the playoffs begin? That appears like the a lot more most likely situation.