San Francisco Giants: NL West Power Rankings

Rank #2: The Los Angeles Dodgers

September 28, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate the 10-5 victory against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers are ranked second because, last year they won the NL West title for the second straight year, and have proven to be a dominant team. Their problem is that that dominance doesn’t carry over to post season play.  Even though Los Angeles does have a solid team, from their starting rotation, to their hitting and defense, they have failed to advance past the first round in the playoffs in the last two seasons. The Dodgers also have problems with team chemistry because of roster re-constructions over the last few seasons. But after the Giants, the Dodgers are the next team to beat in the NL West.

The Dodgers have had a busy offseason, from getting Jimmy Rollins in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, to trading away their star outfielder Matt Kemp to their division rival San Diego Padres. The Dodgers were also able to land starting pitchers Brett Anderson and Brandon McCarthy in free agency, along with second baseman Howie Kendrick.

Jan 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop

(left) poses with wife of Johari Smith at a press conference at at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In all honesty, the Dodgers did not need any roster reconstruction, but big market teams are greedy. It showed in the fact that the Dodgers pulled the trigger on deals for Rollins, Kendrick, McCarthy and Anderson. Although, being greedy does not always pay off. It’s a lesson the Dodgers learned quickly after their big trade with the Boston Red Sox in 2012.

However, Rollins and Kendrick will only add to an already hot hitting Dodger lineup made up of Carl Crawford, Juan Uribe, Justin Turner, Adrian Gonzalez, and Yasiel Puig.

Last season with the Phillies, Rollins hit a mere .243, but contributed 17 home runs and 55 RBI’s with a .323 OBP. In 14 seasons with the Phillies, Rollins accumulated a .267/.327/.424 slash line and a .983 fielding percentage at short stop.

On the other hand, Kendrick hit .293, with seven home runs, 33 doubles, 75 RBI’s and a .347 OBP. Defensively, Kendrick is similar to Rollins with a .985 fielding percentage at second base in his eight seasons with the Angels.

Crawford who doesn’t hit a lot of home runs or do anything flashy, had a .300/.339/.429 slash line last season and was a proven threat on offense. Uribe, had a similar line with .311/.337/.444 and nine home runs, which was an improvement over his slumps in the 2013 season. Justin Turner, in 109 games played, hit .340 with a high .404 OBP, to go with seven home runs, 21 doubles and one triple.

Oct 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop

(left) and outfielder

(right) look out from the dugout during game four of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Then there are the more obvious power hitters in Gonzalez and Puig who had a combined 43 home runs and 185 RBI’s last season. Puig’s numbers were down from his breakout rookie season in 2013 — he hit .296 but maintained a high on base percentage of .382. Puig also hit 37 doubles and nine triples to top off another ferocious offensive season. Gonzalez, had an impressive .276/.335/.482 slash line, and also had an equally impressive defensive year with a .996 fielding percentage.

The big story for the Dodgers though, is their pitching. If it was not for Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jim Ryu, Chad Billingsley, and Zack Greinke, the Dodgers would not have won the division the last two years. Kershaw had an absolutely dominate regular season, going 21-3, with a 1.77 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 239 strikeouts. This was Kershaw’s second 21 win season and third season with a WHIP that was under 1.00, since joining the Dodgers in 2008.

Great pitching from start to finish, like the Dodgers often get, is why they are ranked second rather than the Padres, who are borderline number two based on their offseason acquisitions. With efficient pitching comes efficient offense that provides decent run support for their win-deserving pitchers.

Next: The San Diego Padres