Anthony Arroyo
In a recent segment on MLB Network, analyst Brian Kenny raised an interesting point: Are the Dodgers not quite the superteam we expected? His primary concern was the team’s age and how that affects its defense. While I agree with some of Kenny’s points, particularly on the defensive side, I’d argue that the Dodgers remain one of the most dangerous teams in baseball, thanks to their offensive depth and strong pitching staff.
Kenny’s emphasis on the Dodgers’ age is valid, especially regarding defense. The Dodgers currently rank 24th in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), and it’s no secret that the defensive alignment has sometimes looked shaky. Mookie Betts is at shortstop, Max Muncy is at third base, and an outfield of Andy Pages, Michael Conforto, and Teoscar Hernández aren’t precisely defensive stalwarts. That being said, I believe this group has the potential to improve as the season goes on. While they may not be Gold Glove candidates, they can make key plays when it matters.
Offensively, however, there’s far less to worry about. Despite some struggles on their recent road trip, the Dodgers are still among the best in baseball at producing runs. They currently rank eighth in MLB with 4.9 runs per game. This is a lineup that can hurt you in a lot of ways, headlined by MVP-caliber talent in Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, with consistent contributors like Teoscar Hernández, Tommy Edman, and Conforto filling things out.
Pitching-wise, the Dodgers have held their own despite early-season challenges, including Blake Snell‘s injury. With Snell sidelined, the team was forced to dip into its minor league depth, but they’ve managed well. The Dodgers currently boast a team ERA of 3.22, which is good for sixth in the MLB. Their offseason additions—Snell, Roki Sasaki, Kirby Yates, and Tanner Scott—were made with the postseason in mind. When healthy, this staff will be a nightmare for opposing lineups.
Another concern Kenny touched on was base running, citing the team’s 22nd-place ranking in Baserunning Runs (BSR). This is an area the Dodgers will need to improve on, as poor baserunning can quietly cost wins. But again, it’s early, and there’s plenty of time for growth.
I differ most from Kenny in how I view the team’s age. While the Dodgers aren’t getting any younger, age brings experience. Many players on this roster have been part of deep postseason runs and understand what it takes to win in October. That kind of chemistry and leadership can’t be understated, especially when younger teams feel the pressure of meaningful games down the stretch.
It’s easy to nitpick early in the season, especially for a team coming off a championship run. But let’s not forget the bigger picture. The Dodgers don’t need to win 110 games. As Andrew Friedman has repeatedly said, the goal is to be healthy and play their best baseball in October. If this team stays healthy, they’re built for the postseason. And when it comes to October, the Dodgers have the talent, experience, and pitching depth to be a legitimate favorite once again.
So, while I respect Kenny’s perspective and agree with his defensive concerns, I still believe this Dodgers team has all the ingredients to repeat. They may not be flawless, but their strengths far outweigh their weaknesses. Let’s not count them out just yet.
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