Dodgers firing on all cylinders heading into break
LOS ANGELES — The first half of the 2023 season is within the books, and the Dodgers are pleased with the place they sit. Well, moderately glad, anyway.
They definitely have room for enchancment, however being 13 video games over .500 regardless of all of the turbulence they’ve confronted has been one thing of a feat in and of itself.
Still, supervisor Dave Roberts spoke for everybody when he declared, “We’re excited to get to the break.”
The Dodgers closed issues out with a 10-5 win over the Angels on Saturday night time at Dodger Stadium, a tenth straight victory vs. the Halos, courting again to August 2021. At 51-38, the Dodgers path the D-backs by half a sport for first place within the National League West. An Arizona loss Sunday would depart Los Angeles tied for first because the All-Star break begins, whereas a win would depart L.A. a full sport out.
“I [feel] like we [are] in a really good position,” stated Max Muncy, who opened the underside of the second along with his twenty first homer. “And saying that, I feel like we also have been playing pretty average baseball for the first half. So I know this team has a lot more in it.”
To ensure, this isn’t how the Dodgers envisioned issues going thus far. Their injured record has 15 gamers, with their beginning pitching getting hit significantly arduous, as everybody from the Opening Day rotation has landed there sooner or later.
Beyond that, this Dodgers squad has had an excellent deal extra turnover than in years previous; of their 16 free brokers from final season, simply Clayton Kershaw appeared for them within the first half. It’s additionally a a lot youthful group than it’s been shortly. L.A.’s present 26-man roster carries eight rookies, not counting gamers like Gavin Stone and Michael Busch, who’ve made their debuts, however have since been optioned.
Taken collectively, it’s a scenario during which the Dodgers wanted some time to search out their groove. But it’s additionally helped them forge a unique form of id. There’s not as a lot starpower, however Roberts has sensed a higher degree of “urgency” amongst his gamers.
“Whether they’re veterans or young players, there’s a lot of new players to this organization,” stated Roberts. “So I think they all felt that they were in the same bucket, and our guys that have been here received them really well. … I just feel good with the relationships that have been built.”
Of course, the Dodgers’ success is basically because of the lineup’s extra established stars. That begins on the prime with Mookie Betts, who on Saturday led off along with his twenty sixth lengthy ball of the season. His 10 leadoff homers surpassed George Springer’s 9 within the first half in 2017 to ascertain an AL/NL report. It’s additionally essentially the most leadoff homers in a season in Dodgers franchise historical past. With 46 leadoff blasts in his profession, Betts is tied with Jimmy Rollins for seventh all-time.
Betts, partially, credit the “positive energy” within the clubhouse for his success on the plate.
“Internally, we’ve always been confident of what we can do,” stated Betts. “… We just stuck with it, we’re still sticking with it, and we have to continue to ride the wave.”
Right behind Betts are the Dodgers’ different All-Stars. Freddie Freeman went yard within the fourth, giving him three straight video games with a homer. J.D. Martinez once more proved what a worthwhile offseason pickup he’s been by smashing his twenty second massive fly within the sixth, his second in as many video games. Will Smith drove in a pair of runs as he continues to claim himself as one among baseball’s prime offensive backstops.
“We’ve had ups and we’ve had downs, and this group just came together,” stated Freeman. “And I felt like, [with] how we responded the last couple of weeks, we’ve got a pretty special group.”
As the offense continues to hit its stride, the once-tumultuous bullpen image additionally appears to have stabilized considerably. Some key gamers — particularly, Kershaw and Chris Taylor — are anticipated again after the break. The Aug. 1 Trade Deadline also needs to afford the Dodgers the chance to enhance of their main areas of want.
There’s loads of causes to suppose that the Dodgers, who went 5-1 on their closing first-half homestand, are consultant of what this membership is and will likely be able to.
“I think our best baseball is ahead of us,” stated Roberts. “But considering all that we’ve gone through, no one’s wavered, which is great. And we’re right in the thick of things.”
