Well, it ended on a positive note, and the Dodgers surprisingly won 98 games. Not quite the:
“In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!”,
but it was nevertheless an amazing finish for a team some had given up on many times since the All-Star break, instead a team that suffered more injuries than any other team, won more games than any other MLB team in 2024. The Dodgers had 26 players hit the IL for 2,158 days. Boston had 28 players hit the IL, but only for 1,928 days.
- Mookie Betts lost 44 games due to a broken hand (June 16 – August 12).
- Max Muncy lost 79 games due to oblique injury (May 15 – August 19).
Freddie Freeman played only 147 games due to a myriad of issues:
- Scare due to son, Maximus, coming down with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
- Fractured finger
- Ankle sprain
What went right?
Shohei Ohtani – Signed a $700MM contract. No pressure there. $680MM deferred. AAV is $460.8MM.
1st week of the season, his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was charged with illegal gambling that shook MLB. A lot of arrows were incorrectly shot towards Shohei. He managed to put all that behind him and have a historic season.
The first player in MLB history to reach 50 HR and 50 SB. Actually, it was 54 HR and 59 SB. Overall:
- HR – 54 (1st in NL, 2nd in MLB)
- RBI – 130 (1st in NL, 2nd in MLB)
- OBP – .390 (1st in NL, 5th in MLB)
- SLG – .646 (1st in NL, 2nd in MLB)
- OPS – 1.036 (1st in NL, 2nd in MLB)
- Runs – 134 (1st in NL and MLB)
- Hits – 197 (2nd in NL, 4th in MLB)
- Total Bases – 411 (1st in NL and MLB)
- XBH – 99 (1st in NL and MLB)
- SB – 59 (2nd in NL and MLB)
- SB % – 93.7% (1st in NL and MLB)
- BA – .310 (2nd in NL, 5th in MLB)
#Dodgers Shohei Ohtani has 468 combined total and stolen bases — the most in a season since Babe Ruth set the standard at 474 in 1921.
— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) September 29, 2024
He should be the unanimous NL MVP becoming only the 2nd player to win the MVP in both the NL and AL (Frank Robinson).
From the packed stadiums, the countless global partnerships, the continual coverage, the financial investment was a drop in the bucket to what was generated this year. This will be one of the best investments Guggenheim will make with LAD.
Teoscar Hernández – Signed a one-year contract for $23.5MM ($8MM deferred). AAV is $20.5MM. Teo has made it clear that the best decision he made was to sign with LAD. He would love an extension, but that is up to the Dodgers. He gives every indication that he would be amenable to a “home team discount”.
Teo won the HR Derby at the 2024 All Star game.
Teo hit a career high 33 HRs and hit 99 RBI. This was his 2nd best year since his 2021 season with Toronto.
Teo led the team with RBI with RISP (71). He batted .288/.396/.547/.943. He was even better wRSIP and 2 outs – .306/.410/.529/.939.
For most of the early season, it was the top of the order with very little help from the bottom. However, that has changed since the All-Star Break.
- Kiké Hernández – 2nd half – .281/.314/.470/.784 – Sept – .333/.347/.542/.889
- Chris Taylor – 2nd half – .325/.349/.375/.724 – Sept – .297/.343/.359/.702
- Gavin Lux – 2nd half – .304/.391/.508/.899 – Sept – .241/.366/.293/.659
- Austin Barnes – 2nd half – .269/.333/.346/.680 – Sept – .353/.389/.353/.680
Miguel Rojas has had a career year, batting .283/.337/.410/.747, playing near GG defense at SS, and being a captain on the field and in the clubhouse.
This is a team that will score runs. Unless they all go cold like they did in 2023 or forget how to hit wRISP like 2022.
Starting Pitchers – Gavin Stone (25 starts, 140.1 IP) and Tyler Glasnow (22 starts, 134 IP). Those are the only two pitchers to reach more than 90 IP, and neither starter is available for the playoffs due to injury. Stone has a shoulder injury and Glasnow has an elbow injury.
Announced Playoff Rotation:
- Jack Flaherty – 10 LAD starts, 55.1 IP (Overall 28 starts, 162 IP)
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto – 18 starts, 90 IP
- Walker Buehler – 16 starts, 75.1 IP
- Landon Knack – 15 games (12 starts), 69 IP
That is better than what Doc trotted out last year, but it certainly not going to be the top rotation in the playoffs. They are going to need to rely heavily on the bullpen. The bullpen has been the strength of the pitching for 2024.
Current expected playoff bullpen:
- Anthony Banda (L)
- Ryan Brasier (R)
- Edgardo Henriquez (R)
- Daniel Hudson (R)
- Joe Kelly (R)
- Michael Kopech (R)
- Evan Phillips (R)
- Blake Treinen (R)
- Alex Vesia (L)
Ben Casparius will get some consideration. On sheer guess, Henriquez and Hudson would be on the bubble.
W-L record wise, LAD won 3 games more than Philadelphia and 4 more than NYY. Based on the regular season, the Dodgers are the best team in MLB and have the home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Now they have to get past the NLDS.
Who will they play? Probably San Diego. San Diego is the #4 seed and will play either NYM, Atlanta, or Arizona. NYM and Atlanta have a significant problem due to having to play a DH on Monday, one day before the start of the Wild Card. Whoever starts on Monday, will not be pitching in the Wild Card.
Arizona needs for one of the teams to sweep in order to get into the playoffs. If NYM and Atlanta split, all three teams will end up with 89-73 records. Unfortunately for Arizona, both Atlanta and NYM have better head-to-head records against Arizona. Atlanta was 5-2 over Arizona and NYM was 4-3 over Arizona.
Spencer Schwellenbach will get start in Game 1 for Atlanta. If they win Game 1, they will make the playoffs. They will not have to pitch Chris Sale or Max Fried in Game 2. NYM has not yet named starter for Game 1. I am guessing either Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana, or Luis Severino.
It’s too bad for the Mets and Braves that the weather has played such a huge role in the outcome of their season and playoff hopes.
Bad enough to need to use your best pitchers in a Wild Card series but then having to use one or possibly two more pitchers on Monday really makes it tough. The Pads are probably licking their chops. I’m hoping they go into their first series overconfident enough to lose it.
By the way, Jeff, on your probable bullpen list up top, you might want to correct Vesia to read (L) instead of (R).
Nice write-up Jeff.
Well Monday is interesting. I’m glad it’s not us burning up pitching and screwing up rotations. In years past we had to find ways to stay interested and game sharp. I’m not feeling that 5 days off is a bad thing. It’s positive in many ways.
Good news for all of the posters here who have been lobbying for for a couple of years for Willy Adames to become the Dodger shortstop, are one step closer to your wish. I watched the Brewer – Mets game. The Brewers were losing but after Adames got a single in the 6th, he was ceremoniously pinch-run for, to a standing ovation as he departed. It was mentioned he will be replaced next season at short by Joey Ortiz. This sure looked like Willy’s final goodbye party, to me.
So that checks the first box; Adames will be on the market. So, now we have the ability to get the shortstop many Dodger fans clamor for. That looks like it may be expensive but the reward is a 29 year old slug guy; .252//793, 32 homers and 28% K-rate. We can get rid or that old shortstop and moves his .283/.748, ass to the bench, and a utility spot.
Maybe someday we will get a shortstop who most of the fans like. Going back,
Seager, wasn’t he the ill-suited for short and should be moved to 3rd guy? No range?
How about Trea Turner? Strikes out too much. He’s leaving anyway. Not a real Dodger?
So we move on to Lux but that didn’t work, to Betts that worked……kind-ah, to Rojas, who stabilized the whole deal just keeps playing. And we keep winning.
It’s really been a remarkable season with highs and lows. And performances were never seen before and some we never want to see again.
Now everything starts over; clean slate. Everybody in the pool.
I don’t anticipate any surprises for the 26 man playoff roster, for the first round.
I see:
Kike and CT3’s recent hitting has solidified their spots, if they were ever in jeopardy.
Starting pitchers:
Relief staff:
Kelly has good numbers lately, but he makes me nervous. Same with Hudson.
I personally would take Henriquez and his stuff over Kelly or Hudson. But that won’t happen.
Kershaw would be a an improbable surprise and I see no role or him, other than a short mop up relief LHP spot. Too much risk to consider him. Probably time to you know what.
So, that’s my opinion and I can’t wait to watch playoff baseball.
Excellent, thorough recap of the season, Jeff… Looks like the Pads will have a chance to play spoiler again.
Looking over the season stats, these factoids stand out to me:
–Shohei would be credited with all-time greatest offensive performance by a Dodger–even if he had stolen zero bases. I expected him to slug at least 50 HRs in this loaded lineup, but never imagined 59 steals against only 4 caught stealing. Did anyone predict this?
–Mookie had more walks than Ks: 67 to 54. (I think this was a first for him.)
–Freddie had so much on his mind this season, but still had the team’s second-best OBP of .378. (Shohei finished at .390.) Get well soon, Freddie!
–Injuries limited much-maligned Max to only 73 games and 237 ABs, but he produced an .852 OPS with 15 HRs. With a full season, he’d have likely had yet another 35-HR season. (His OPS of .358 wasn’t shabby either.)
–HUNTER FEDUCCIA! He finally got his chance, in 5 games with 12 ABs finished with a .333 BA and .429 OBP. With Barnes still under contract, Feduccia will be a back-up backup catcher in ’25. He’s a good insurance policy, but Cartaya is supposed to be better, right? (I keep hoping that the Dodgers could arrange a care-package blockbuster to the White Sox that would include guys blocked in OKC. Crochet could be back on the market.)
–As expected, Teo led the Dodgers in Ks, with 188. And he fulfilled or exceeded expectations in every other way, with 33 bombs and 99 RBI. He should have a strong FA market. Will the Dodgers try to keep him or, perhaps, choose to invest in a guy like Willy Adames.
–Will Smith finished with OK if unspectacular hitting stats, but his .327 OBP was much lower than in previous years. On the plus side what really stood out was the fact that he threw out 32 base runners trying to steal. His previous high was 19, set just one season earlier. That’s a staggering improvement, and it’s been suggested that his fielding has suffered in other ways. Even if we assume some trade-offs, cutting down baserunners is great way to kill a rival’s momentum.
–Old Man Miguel Rojas, aging like a fine wine, delivered his best offense since the 60-game covid season. He played in 107 games and had 307 ABs, perhaps suggesting that he is best used as part-time player. He and Tommy Edman can share SS for the foreseeable future…. unless the front office goes after Adames. (Let’s pass on Bichette, OK?)
As Jeff points out, Taylor, Lux, Kike and Barnes finished the season strong. The rotation may be iffy, but I can’t recall a stronger Dodgers’ lineup heading into the postseason.
Excellent blog Jeff!As usual.
Your postseason roster is probably spot on. If it was up to me I would substitute Casparius for Hudson or Kelly. Dodgers need a bulk pitcher out of the pen with our shaky rotation.
As a fan who is critical of DR I have to give him lot of credit for the job he has done this regular season. Dodgers with all the injuries could have folded several times but DR held the troops together. Kudos to him!
Lets win the crapshoot that the playoffs is
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Dodgers!!
does anyone know if sling blue will get me the Dodger games?
All Dodgers should be rested and healed by next weekend and hopefully this will be the year where the two best teams in baseball will meet up in the World Series.
Next year? Fried, Burnes, Flaherty, Crochet, Adames, Santander, Hernandez. That ought do it.
I charted out the pitching rotation for the playoffs. It’s not easy because we could win with a sweep or they could go all 5 or 7. If they stick with giving them 5 days off between starts they might need a fifth starter or bullpen game a couple of times. This is even with pitching Flaherty on “regular” 4 days rest.
I would want a long guy like Casparius in the bullpen just in case. They really need to finish these series quickly.
An nice write up Jeff. Hopefully, your rehab is helping you to a successful recovery.
I, too, think your roster choices are spot on. I do think Casparius should be added instead of Hudson who seemed to run out energy at the end of the season. Maybe, this next few days off will help Hudson. And then there’s the Joseph Kelly issue. He is such a crapshoot. But, it will be sorted out by Saturday.
I still find it hard to believe the Dodgers finished with the best record in MLB. With all the injuries, especially to the starting staff, it doesn’t make sense.
No matter what happens in the playoffs, to have the excitement of watching Ohtani do what he did in 2024 will be truly memorable. It could be decades before anyone exceeds his records. At the end of the season his AB’s were certainly must see TV. I’ve never seen anything like it.
One cannot be confident with the starting staff the Dodgers will have available for the playoffs. It’s going to take superb defense and outstanding hitting with runners in scoring position to overcome the Dodger pitching deficiencies. The bullpen will be used at a extreme level as it was during the season. Eleven more victories is all we ask!
Carry on
I went back and inserted these two charts:
Mets are pitching Megill in game one. Of note is the fact that at one point Ohtani was absolutely horrendous with men in scoring position. His BA in those situations around July was .223. He totally turned that around and hit .283 with RISP for the season. He also quit chasing a lot of pitches that were way off of the plate.
NYM is going to start RHSP Tyler Megill in Game 1 vs the Braves and Spencer Schwellenbach. Game starts at 10:10 AM PT.
Giants just fired Zaidi and named Buster Posey as the President of Baseball Operations. Guess he wasn’t as smart as they thought he was.
Zaidi just became available.
Both of today’s games are on ESPN 2
Okay Boys, I have a serious baseball question.
Please explain the “Opener” strategy to me. I don’t get it?
I understand “Piggy-Backing” two starting pitchers to get maximum innings.
But I seriously don’t see the value of starting a relief pitcher for one inning and bringing in the starting pitcher in the 2nd inning.
I don’t see it messing up a righty or leftie loaded line up as the strategy is declared before the game.
Maybe it works if you have a starting pitcher who seems to struggle in the first inning of games?
I honestly don’t know what it’s supposed to accomplish over starting the starter and using the “Opener” guy as a relief pitcher?
Somebody please coach me up.
I found this article interesting.
https://dodgersway.com/posts/shohei-ohtani-admits-dodgers-weak-spot-can-be-blamed-on-angels-failures-01j8qm5cqq4p
Mets score 6 runs in the top of the 8th in ATL and now lead 6-3.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you guys for some very informational ideas as to the “why” for an “Opener”.
I appreciate your takes.
This game is wild!!
That was some game. Braves got it all got it all to do.
I think Flaherty, Yamamoto and Buehler are going to be fine. Like our chances especially with this bit of rest for the Oen, and having Home Field advantage all the way through.
we haven’t actually played our best baseball yet….
Was just thinking of how lucrative it is to make the playoffs. Dodgers stand to make alot of money. 50,000 fans at $200.00 a ticket average is $10,000,000.00 per game just in ticket sales. Add in concessions and parking and the total could be $15,000,000.00 or more per game.
Other stories that have piqued my interest.
Top 20 MLB jersey sales:
#1 – Shohei Ohtani
#4 – Mookie Betts
#18 – Freddie Freeman
#19 – Clayton Kershaw
I have all four, although only my Ohtani jersey was purchased this year. It’s great when your family knows exactly what to get for birthday and Christmas. I am making out my player list for Christmas 2024.
Four other teams had two each on the list:
· Phillies – Bryce Harper and Trea Turner
· NYY – Aaron Judge and Juan Soto
· NYM – Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso
· San Diego – Fernando Tatis Jr. And Manny Machado
John Mozeliak is going to be replaced by Chaim Bloom as St. Louis Cardinals POBO after the 2025 season. Bloom was brought on to help rebuild the development roles which have gone backwards the last several years. In order to pay for this reconfiguration of the budget, St. Louis is looking to cut down on the MLB payroll. They will not look to re-sign Paul Goldschmidt. They will probably decline options for Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson. They also figure to make Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Nolan Arenado available. Miles Mikolas??? The one player on the St. Louis roster that I hope is made available is RHRP Ryan Helsley, who should get a significant raise in his final year of arbitration, from $3.8MM.
Just reported on MLBTR, Chaim Bloom will replace Mozeliak as President of Baseball Operations after the 2025 season. Bloom previously was in the same position for the Red Sox.
MLB bends to pressure from the fans. During the All-Star games, players will once again wear their teams’ uniforms. No longer will they wear those butt ugly league uni’s.
One more Kris Kristofferson note. My second son was born October 18, 1978. Nothing special about that date. However, he was named after Kris Krostofferson. My choice. Kristofferson was one of my favorites. Now my son and his namesake can meet each other in heaven.
RIP Kris (both Kris’). 🙏
BTW, I named all three of my kids. Andy (Andy Messersmith), and Wendy for the Beachboys song. And yes I know that Messersmith’s actual name is John Alexander.
Braves-Mets split. Az is going home for the winter!!! Ta Ta D-Bags.