Cody Snavely
This story received contributions from Steve Webb & Mike Salas.
The 2024 MLB season is here, and the Dodgers are already 1-1 to start the season after they split the two-game series in Seoul, Korea, with the Padres.
However, as the team prepares to open the season in the United States against the St. Louis Cardinals, the staff here at DodgersBeat wants to take a crack at some season predictions.
With the domestic Opening Day kicking off tomorrow, what will their 2024 record be?
Cody
The Dodgers are coming from four straight 100-win seasons, and I do not expect that trend to end for the 2024 season. While the 2023 team may have overperformed this Dodgers roster, adding so much talent, the floor is 100 games. That said, I believe the Dodgers will win 106 games, cruising to yet another NL West title.
Steve
I’m guessing 104. They overperformed to hit the century mark in ’23, but I think they will pretty easily get there this year. I will go one step further and say they win the NL West by 8-10 games.
Mike
101 and will win the division by 10 games.
Who will be the Dodgers team MVP?
Cody
I am going to go with the obvious answer here: Mookie Betts. In 2023, Betts played at a new level in his Dodgers tenure, finishing runner-up to NL MVP Ronald Acuña, Jr. While the bat of Betts is what gets talked about the most, the ability to play 2B, SS, and RF all at an above average or elite level is something that no other player in baseball can replace. With Betts shifting to such a premier position, he could win his second career MVP if he performs similarly in 2024.
Steve
It’s hard to say no to Mookie Betts. The guy is such a complete player. Freeman is great, but only adds so much defensively. Ohtani might end up being LEAGUE MVP, but the player who will be “most valuable” to the Dodgers wears number 50 on his back.
Mike
Freddie Freeman, has lead by example and consistency in the batter’s box and field. I feel Freddie will be the WS MVP.
Who will be the Dodgers’ best pitcher?
Cody
I will continue making my pitch for Tyler Glasnow as not only the Dodgers’ best pitcher in 2024 but also the best pitcher in the NL for the upcoming season. The biggest question mark with Glasnow is health, but if the right-handed flamethrower can stay healthy, expect big things from Glasnow in 2024.
Steve
I think 2024 is the year Tyler Glasnow puts together the Cy Young campaign that we all know he’s got in him. He stays healthy, and he’s your best pitcher on the staff.
Mike
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, will end the season with 14 wins and 2.89 ERA.
What rookie or surprise player will come up big for the Dodgers in 2024?
Cody
I believe that by the season’s end, Dodgers prospect Andy Pages will have made a huge impact and could potentially start games in RF come October. Pages missed almost all of 2023 after a torn labrum, but he looked locked in at the plate this spring. A few months at AAA, and then he should be up by July.
Steve
I feel like we’re going to be pleasantly surprised by what we get out of reliever/spot starter Kyle Hurt this year. I would also say that Gavin Stone is going to be an impact player this year, but his doing great doesn’t qualify as a “surprise” in my book. On the position side, Miguel Rojas might be a wild card as somebody who really contributes when he’s needed.
Mike
I’ll continue with Yoshinobu Yamamoto even after a rough first start in Korea I expect him to make the necessary adjustments and dominate the league come summer.
What is your biggest concern with the Dodgers for this season?
Cody
My biggest concern, without mentioning the left side of the Dodgers infield, is actually the starting rotation. While the Dodgers did bring in Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, I still see some issues with health and experience. We already got a taste that Yamamoto will need some time to transition from NPB to MLB, and Glasnow’s career high in innings was only 120. However, my “concerns” are more just fears of what has plagued the Dodgers the past two seasons.
Steve
By now it’s cliche to say it, but the defense, especially the left side of the infield. Major problems so far. I’m not hitting the panic button yet, but a move has got to be in the back of a lot of minds in the front office.
Mike
Even with Mookie playing SS, I feel the left side of the infield is going to lead the league in errors. Playing a full season at SS, my concern is Mookie’s numbers dropping off in October.
How far will the Dodgers go in 2024?
Cody
The Dodgers are coming off back-to-back disappointments in October, where they suffered defeats in the NLDS. However, despite all the additions, I am still reluctant to crown them NL Champions. However, if the rotation and the Ohtani story do not derail the Dodgers season, I can see them going on a deep run in October, but for now, I will be conservative and say they make it to the NLCS.
Steve
This team has “World Series or Bust” written all over them. I think last year’s team was lucky to have won as many games as they did, given the state of their starting pitching. I’m feeling like we can finally get that Dodgers-Yankees rematch that we’ve been waiting for for 40 years. With that being said Dodgers over Yankees 4-2
Mike
I will say the Dodgers finally put it together in October and march their way to a World Series.
One bold prediction
Cody
While Betts is my lock for the Dodgers MVP, we must remember Shohei Ohtani‘s greatness. The two-way star will be strictly a hitter in 2024 and can unleash his power and speed for the Dodgers offense. That said, I believe Ohtani will become the fourth Dodger to join the 30/30 club and the only member of the 40/30 club in Dodgers history.
Steve
Kershaw comes back and shines in October. The pressure’s off this time around. He can relax and just be Kershaw.
Mike
Dodgers win the World Series over the Astros 4-1 a rematch that the league as been waiting for.
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