Betts leads stacked roster for Dodgers in World Series chase
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have been nothing if not consistent in recent years. Seven straight seasons of 90-plus wins to go with seven NL West titles in a row. All that’s missing is an elusive World Series championship.
They open the shortened 60-game season with a couple of B’s in the lineup: Cody Bellinger and new addition Mookie Betts. Bellinger won NL MVP last year and Betts was the 2018 AL MVP with Boston. They are among the most talented combos in baseball and both could contend for MVP honors. Betts has extra incentive, too, since he can become a free agent after the season.
One of the Dodgers’ greatest strengths is their depth. Beyond Bellinger and Betts, their offense boasts Max Muncy, Justin Turner and Corey Seager and the bench features utility players Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernández.
Betts will slot well into the powerful lineup. He hit .295 last season with the Red Sox. The Dodgers’ offense led the National League with 886 runs scored, a .472 slugging percentage and 279 home runs. With pitcher
David Price sitting out and left-handers Rich Hill and Hyun-jin Ryu departed, there’s room in the rotation for another southpaw to join veteran Clayton Kershaw. LHP Alex Wood returns on a $4 million, one-year deal after being a Dodgers starter and an All-star in 2017. RHP Blake Treinen was signed to a $10 million, one-year deal in an effort to bolster the bullpen. The hope is he avoids the injuries that derailed his 2019 season and regains his 2018 form when he had an 0.78 ERA and earned All-star honors with Oakland.
Closer Kenley Jansen
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