Yearly in each sport, a “paper” champion is asserted
earlier than the season begins. As in, “on paper, (fill within the clean) seems to be just like the
finest 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 main parts that bought 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 nations. It’s secure
to say that Los Angeles’ funding is up to now paying off properly, as Ohtani is
having his finest yr in nearly all offensive classes, together with hits, residence
runs and RBI. Plus, he simply recorded the primary 50-50 season in MLB historical past.
Regardless of Ohtani’s heroics, nevertheless, the Dodgers aren’t
operating away with their division, nor have they got the perfect file 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 lots to be desired. At 3.93,
the Dodgers’ staff ERA is just 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 listing this summer season, with Clayton Kershaw and Tyler
Glasnow doubtlessly being unable to return this season. So, with a dearth of starters, is it doable that the Dodgers would ship Ohtani out to the mound in the course of the
playoffs just a bit over a yr after main elbow surgical procedure?
“Something is feasible,” stated supervisor Dave Roberts. “We’ve nonetheless bought a number of work to get to October and
by way of October. I hope that’s on his thoughts so far as motivation for his rehab.
However the odds of it coming to go 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 e-book, it will 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 file of accidents that they simply made a serious 10-year dedication to? In all probability
not.
However,
would they throw this concept on the market as a little bit of an intimidation issue? Perhaps
an opportunity to get within the heads of their future opponents lengthy earlier than the playoffs
begin? That looks like the more likely situation.
