Still no movement on the roster construction, and the big bats remain unsigned and not traded. Big names signed today, OF JJ Bleday by Cincinnati, and RHRP, Hunter Harvey by the Cubs.
So I decided to take a look at the schedule.
For the first time in three years, the Dodgers get to start the regular season in the United States at home. They have a heavy first half season. They play 97 games before the All Star Break and 65 after the break. They play 86 from March through June and 76 games July through August.
The Dodgers open the season at home with three against Arizona and three against Cleveland. That is followed by their first road test, taking them to Washington DC and Toronto.
Their longest consecutive game schedule is 13 which they play 4 times. They play one in April, one in May, one in June/July, and one in August.
Beginning April 10, they play 25 games in 27 days, immediately followed by 29 games in 31 days, ending June 7. That is 54 games in 59 days. That is going to put the Dodgers pitching depth to the test.
Their first extensive travel without an open travel date is from Milwaukee (May 24) to home (May 25). The second such trip is from home (August 2) to Chicago Cubs (August 3). And the final such travel date is from Cincinnati (September 17) to home (September 18).
Following the All Star Break, the Dodgers venture to New York and Philadelphia. They play three against NYY, three against Phillies, and 3 against NYM, before coming home to face the Mariners and Red Sox.
They play two other 9 game away schedules:
- LAA, San Diego, Milwaukee
- Minnesota, San Diego, A’s (Sacramento)
As always, the Dodgers play each division team 13 times. They play San Diego and San Francisco 4 games at home vs 3 games away, While they play 4 in Arizona and 4 in Colorado vs three at home against both.
They play 48 games against the American League: 6 against the Angels and 3 against the other 14 teams. They play NYY, Toronto, and Detroit away, while they play Seattle, Boston, and Cleveland at home.
They play 62 games against the NL Central and NL East. They play 8 of the teams 3 at home and 3 away. They play the other two 7 times. They play Milwaukee 4 times at home and 3 away, while they play the Reds 3 at home and 4 away.
The Dodgers finish the season with 3 at home against San Francisco, 3 at home against San Diego, and 3 away in San Francisco. They finish their games in San Diego June 26-28. I am glad they do not have to deal with that fan base after June.
This is actually a pretty good schedule, accentuated with a full cactus league schedule and no trip to Asia. They have the pitching depth to get through their schedule gauntlet through June 7, and have plenty of time to rest/recover the final 3 months.
162-0
I’ll take the under.
Tanner Scott set-up god
I have nothing to add, D, but I didn’t want you to think you were talking to yourself here.
Article in The Times asking for a dumpster in which to put 2025. The only thing to leave out of that dumpster before it’s set on fire would be the Dodgers Championship. How they did it hopefully will be talked about for years.
Thank you
Dodgers biggest obstacle for a threepeat will be age.
There position players on average are app. 30,5 years old. There run production has decreased since 2023 even though they signed Shohei in 2024.
Have to get a little younger soon.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The biggest obstacle will be injuries.
I think it might be Toronto again.
Agreed. But it is Not unusual that injuries more or less in many cases are related to age.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!
The age of the Dodgers is one reason why Kim, age 26, should get a full-time opportunity at 2B.
Also why Rushing, age 24, should provide Freddie, 36, with maybe 20 games of rest at 1B. (Freddie could win a couple games as a pinch-hitter.)
Now, about the outfield…
Questions persist whether the Red Sox or Twins will deal. The White Sox, however, seem likely to trade Luis Robert Jr., age 28, with the Phillies and Mets and ?? as potential destinations.
Should the Dodgers go after Robert Jr. to form the power-packed Teo-Robert-Pages.
Worst case (without injury): He plays a quality CF but has another disappointing season with the bat–and Hope, Sirota or de Paula step up in ’27.
Best case: He bounces back to ’23 form and wins the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove for years to come.
Bounce back to 23 form!? Thats been awhile. Good years come and go, but what can you count on from him? Something he did once in the past? If so lets bring up Miller to pitch, he was good once.
Caught an interview with River Ryan on Dodgers Nation and learned some things:
–He was nearly healthy enough for the postseason, but the consensus was not to rush him.
–He was healthy enough to be a “beast” in the weightroom, and added 20-25 pounds of muscle. That may seem excessive, but in a recent bullpen session he was throwing consistently in the 98-100 range.
Ryan was so impressive in his four-start debut last season that, of all the potential trade candidates on the roster, he’s the one I’d least like to deal. He’s the primary reason why it wouldn’t bother me much if Sheehan headlines a trade for an upgrade in the outfield.
If Sheehan is traded, the last spot in the six-man rotation could be between Ryan and Stone.
All good except his debut wasn’t last season. Sorry to nit pick
Yes.
Looking at the 2026 schedule I’m targeting the early season series in Toronto as an opportunity to see a Dodger game(s) at a stadium I have not previously seen. Should be a fun visit and a plus that it’s a dome stadium and the series is in early April.
Place should be rocking and a lot of fun. Will that series feature a player heavily favored to sign with the Blue Jays only to leave them at the alter and then sign with the Dodgers (Tucker) or a player who previously played with them (Bichette) but is now a Dodger.
Waiting for some more FA movement after the holidays. Lets go Dodgers!
Sounds like a great trip. s A’s end of June. That would be a place I would love to see a game. I will be in Sacramento at the end of June to see the Dodgers play the A’s. A chance to watch Nick Kurtz.
I went there for an A’s game this past season in August, I really enjoyed the venue, great place to watch an MLB game. I plan on going again this season. I wished the Dodger series wasn’t a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday series.
I think we’re getting Tucker or Bichette and Edman makes that option possible.
Edman should be out of his boot any day now, but I still have Pages in center until further notice. I’ve already hit him a thousand fly balls and run hundreds of relay drills. And the work continues daily. He will be ready by Opening Day.
I gave him another neck tat
Good man
I hope he’s listening and paying attention to you Badger.
Well at first he had trouble with the whole concept of a relay man. He kept yelling “güey, sal de mi camino!” which I learned means “dude, get out of my way!”. But he’s getting the hang of it. He liked the idea of knocking that güey’s hat off with a 95 mph fastball. He’s also faster than I thought. He covered dead center to the alley fence in around 4 seconds. I give him a 50 speed rating. Losing that 25 pounds has really helped his agility. Now that he knows center field is his, he will own it.
Heading home to Colorado
Have a safe drive Bear, how is the weather going to be on your trip back?
clear an cold. Some ice and snow in the high country.
You’re the man Bear. I don’t like driving to the VA Hospital and it’s only about 40 miles away. That drive I took to Oklahoma in July was very difficult. And there was two of us. But, you are 3 months younger than I am, so, maybe that helps.
Anyway, safe travels brother.
Mitch White Re-Signs With KBO’s SSG Landers. White was one of the better SP in KBO last year.
Former MLB corner OF/corner INF, Andy Kosco, has passed away at 84. He played for 7 MLB teams including the Dodgers from 1969 through 1970, two of his more productive seasons. His picture on Baseball-Reference shows him as a Dodger, even though he played for 4 more teams post LAD.
Francys Romero reporting that we’re sending Esteury Ruiz to the Marlins for 18 year old pitcher Adriano Marrero.
This clears a spot on the 40-man roster, just in case Andrew has a follow up trade or signing in mind.
Marrero is a definite lottery ticket but we really didn’t need Ruiz on the roster so in my mind it’s a good trade. Marrero was ranked one of the 20 most intriguing pitching prospects in this year’s international signings by Baseball America.
Boom
Ruiz is a good fit in Miami, maybe he can put it together in ST, and get some playing time
Not that they consulted him but I’m sure Ruiz is very happy with the trade.