The Dodgers were dominant in the regular season in 2022 & 2023 but didn’t get anything to show for it come playoff time. The 2024 season wasn’t as easy for the Dodgers, thanks to injuries and an inconsistent pitching staff. But, things came together for the Dodgers in October en route to their eighth World Series title. Here’s our 2024 Dodgers recap.
The Offense
| Stat | Number | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 842 | 2nd |
| Home Runs | 233 | 3rd |
| OPS | .781 | 1st |
| Whiff% | 25.1% | 14th |
| Hard Hit% | 41.3% | 5th |
The Pitching
| Stat | Number | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Starters’ ERA | 4.23 | 19th |
| Relievers’ ERA | 3.53 | 4th |
| Strikeouts | 1,390 | 12th |
| Whiff% | 25.4% | 14th |
| Chase% | 27.7% | 24th |
The Good
The Dodgers went all in last winter in a historic offseason. Los Angeles spent over $1.2B on a free agent haul that included Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Teoscar Hernandez, and Shohei Ohtani.
The pickup of Ohtani gave the Dodgers not just another superstar bat but gave the team a lineup built for October. As documented in 2023, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman were cold in the NLDS. But by pairing Ohtani with Betts and Freeman, it would make things incredibly dicey for pitchers, simply because it’s impossible to pitch around everyone.
Needless to say, the Dodgers’ sttrategy worked just fine.
Los Angeles (NL) finished first in OPS and second in runs scored, only behind the Diamondbacks. Ohtani, as expected, led the pack. The 29-year-old hit 54 home runs and led the NL in OPS (1.036). Ohtani didn’t pitch in 2024, leaving him more willing to steal. The result? Fifty-nine stolen baes to become the first 50-50 player in league history.
Ohtani’s dominance at the plate was even more critical for the Dodgers in 2024, as Mookie Betts missed time in the summer with a hand fracture. Max Muncy, another big power bat, only played 73 games.
The other notable bat picked up in the offseason, Teoscar Hernandez, hit a career-high 33 home runs and drove in 99 RBI. Hernandez was well-known for his power and bat speed before coming to LA. However, he was able to put up career numbers thanks to protection he never had around him in Toronto or Seattle.
As for the Dodgers’ pitching, Gavin Stone found success in the Majors last season after incorporating a sinker, a perfect pitch to tunnel off his changeup, into his arsenal. Stone led the Dodgers in innings pitched (140.1 IP).
The 25-year-old Stone proved to be a pivotal piece to the Dodgers’ rotation. We’ll get to why in a second but it’s important to note Tyler Glasnow (111 ERA+) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (129 ERA+) had very good seasons. The same can be said for Jack Flaherty, who struck out 61 over 55.1 regular season innings and helped hold down the team’s rotation late.
Flaherty was one of several midseason acquisitions who were vital to the World Series run. Tommy Edman, acquired from St. Louis, drove in 13 runs and won the NLCS MVP. Michael Kopech struck out 29 over 24 and posted a 1.13 ERA in the regular season.
The Bad
For a team that won the Wolrd Series, it’s hard to find negatives. However, one issue that nearly did the Dodgers in was their rotation.
Los Angeles only had three reliable, healthy starters in the playoffs: Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Why? Injuries, amongst other problems.
Only two Dodgers pitcher (Stone and Glasnow) threw more than 100 IP with the team, and neither of those two pitched in October. And, relied-upon names from the past were also not available.
Clayton Kershaw didn’t return from shoulder surgery until midseason and last seven starts before a toe injury finished his season. And another key name from 2023, Bobby Miller, didn’t pitch in October thanks to a regular season to forget.
In Miller’s 13 starts last season, the 25-year-old gave up at least thre earned runs. Opposing batters barreled him up to the the tune of 11.5%, well below the league average. It came amidst a brutal stretch where Miller failed to command effectively, leading to a lot of hard contact and walks. His 11.6% BB% was also below-average.
Miller’s fall from high-rising starter to project arm came at a terrible time for the Dodgers. Dustin May or Tony Gonsolin didn’t pitch at all last season, while hard-throwing pitching prospect River Ryan only last four starts before a season-ending injury.
Walker Buehler, like Miller, struggled in 2024. Buehler owned a 5.38 ERA in the regular season and didn’t have the same stuff compared to what he had before Tommy John surgery in 2022. However, the new Red Sox turned everything around in October, just in time.
Early Projected Lineup for 2025
- C: Will Smith
- 1B: Freddie Freeman
- 2B: Gavin Lux
- 3B: Max Muncy
- SS: Mookie Betts
- OF: Michael Conforto (LF), Tommy Edman (CF), Andy Pages (RF)
- DH: Shohei Ohtani
- SP: Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, Bobby Miller, Landon Knack
- RP: Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol, Alex Vesia, Anthony Banda, Ryan Brasier
Heading into 2025, the Dodgers’ rotation is the lone question mark.
Even if the Dodgers don’t bring Teoscar Hernandez back or add another outfielder as a replacement, that offense will produce. However, the starting rotation depth is questionable. Gavin Stone and River Ryan won’t be available for 2025, while Dustin May and Clayton Kershaw — assuming the latter re-signs — are oft-injured arms.
Ohtani will likely be available to pitch at some point in 2025. But, not right away.
So, it leaves the likes of Bobby Miller, Landon Knack, or even Ben Casparius to fill in on the back end of the rotation. Luckily, the Dodgers brought in former Cy Young winner Blake Snell to help lead the rotation in 2025.