It will be difficult for any team to top the 2022 Dodgers, regular season-wise. LA won a franchise record 111 wins, had the highest run differential since the 1939 Yankees with +334, and finished 22 games better than second-place San Diego Padres in their division.
LA was the hottest team in baseball until they weren’t, and they only have themselves to blame for that. Nonetheless, what they accomplished in 2022 was nothing less than spectacular, and we probably won’t see those kinds of team stats for quite some time.
Dodgers president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, spoke to the media on Wednesday to discuss the season ahead and said it’ll be tough to replicate what his team accomplished in 2022.
“I think it’s always safe to assume that you’re going to take a step back from 111 wins…”
The chances of LA repeating that type of dominance are extremely rare and highly doubtful; however, Friedman believes the team he built is still a championship level on one, and they have a legit shot at capturing a title.
“I think we’re going to be a really good team that has very, very legitimate championship odds.”
According to Sportsbook.fanduel.com, the Los Angeles Dodgers have the third-best odds to win the World Series at +750 behind the Houston Astros, +600, and the New York Yankees, +650. Rounding out the top five is the New York Mets (+750), San Diego Padres (+1000), and Atlanta Braves (+1000).
LA might not look as appealing on paper as they have in the past, but they have a good mix of veteran guys who’ve been there, done that, and some youth who are set to make a big splash in an entire major league season.
Still, losing guys like Trea Turner, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Turner, sticking with the guys from the farm system, and still having top-three odds to win the World Series says something about what the Dodgers have built over the years.
111 wins, 100 wins, 85 wins, it doesn’t matter. If LA isn’t the last team standing, 2023 will be a non-fulfillment.
