Yearly in each sport, a “paper” champion is said
earlier than the season begins. As in, “on paper, (fill within the clean) seems to be just like the
greatest staff within the league.” Earlier than the 2024 MLB season started, for many
prognosticators, this paper champion was the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Along with bringing again the foremost parts that obtained the membership
to the NLDS in 2023, the Dodgers determined to take an opportunity on a participant named Shohei
Ohtani, giving him a contract equal to the GDP of many international locations. It’s secure
to say that Los Angeles’ funding is to date paying off properly, as Ohtani is
having his greatest 12 months in virtually all offensive classes, together with hits, dwelling
runs and RBI. Plus, he simply recorded the primary 50-50 season in MLB historical past.
Regardless of Ohtani’s heroics, nonetheless, the Dodgers aren’t
working away with their division, nor have they got the very best document in baseball.
Whereas the staff has thrived on offense — its .254 staff batting common is sweet for
fifth within the league — its pitching has left so much to be desired. At 3.93,
the Dodgers’ staff ERA is simply 14th-best in MLB.
A lot of L.A.’s pitching woes have been injury-related. The staff has put a number of starters on the injured record this summer season, with Clayton Kershaw and Tyler
Glasnow probably being unable to return this season. So, with a dearth of starters, is it attainable that the Dodgers would ship Ohtani out to the mound throughout the
playoffs just a bit over a 12 months after main elbow surgical procedure?
“Something is feasible,” stated supervisor Dave Roberts. “We’ve nonetheless obtained quite a lot of work to get to October and
by October. I hope that’s on his thoughts so far as motivation for his rehab.
However the odds of it coming to move are very slim. However they’re not zero.”
Maybe impressed by the glitz and glamor of La La Land, Roberts
added, “If I used to be scripting a film or writing a ebook, it might be a no brainer
that he comes out of rehabilitation and throws the final pitch.”
So would the Dodgers hand the ball to a rusty Ohtani in a
huge spot? Or, extra importantly, would they danger the well being of a participant with a
observe document of accidents that they only made a significant 10-year dedication to? Most likely
not.
However,
would they throw this concept on the market as a little bit of an intimidation issue? Possibly
an opportunity to get within the heads of their future opponents lengthy earlier than the playoffs
begin? That looks like the more likely situation.
