By: Henry Jones
The Los Angeles Dodgers enter the 2025 MLB season with high expectations following their 2024 World Series championship. Analysts project the Dodgers to achieve a remarkable 104.5 wins, the highest preseason win total since at least 1990. The Dodgers also made many off season pick ups by adding Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki to their bullpen. Sensational player Shohei Ohtani is also coming back from arm injury and will be able to pitch this year. The Dodgers’ lineup remains formidable, featuring stars like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernández. The addition of Hyeseong Kim from the KBO adds depth to the infield. The Dodgers are heavily favored to repeat as World Series champions, with odds of +250, reflecting their strong roster and successful offseason. While the Dodgers’ roster is exceptionally strong, the unpredictable nature of baseball means that success is never guaranteed. However, the combination of a deep roster, strategic acquisitions, and high expectations positions the Dodgers as strong contenders for the 2025 season. Also, Shohei is projected to win the National League MVP. This is not a shocker to most people due to his ability to make big plays at the plate and be a reliable starting pitcher. Assuming he stays healthy (a big factor for any prediction), Ohtani’s two-way success will continue to set him apart from the rest of the league. There could be some load management for his pitching, especially given his dual role, but as he continues to push boundaries, the Dodgers may work with him to ensure his longevity while still maximizing his impact both at the plate and on the mound. Also, his hitting will probably maintain his offensive production at an elite level. After a strong 2024 season, he will continue to be a powerful presence in the lineup, hitting over 40 home runs and driving in around 100 RBIs. His batting average could hover around .270-.280, with his on-base and slugging percentages remaining among the best in the league. Expect him to also be a consistent threat on the base paths, stealing around 10-15 bases. While some people say the Dodgers already have enough stars to win it without Ohtani, I believe he is such a generational player that they just couldn’t achieve greatness without him.
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