The Los Angeles Dodgers enter the 2022 MLB season as the prohibitive favorites to lift the World Series trophy in October.
High expectations heading into a season yields pressure, and pressure is something the Dodgers have struggled with over the years. For all the talent LA has had over the last two decades, the Dodgers have only won one championship. That championship came in 2020 under a rather unique set of circumstances.
In the past, Dodgers’ managers and players alike have avoiding discussing expectations heading into the season. The idea being that if pressure is ignored, it has less of an ability it has to become a distraction.
However, this season Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts is taking a different approach. In a recent interview on The Dan Patrick Show, Roberts boldly claimed that 2022 will be the Dodgers’ year.
Roberts said, quote
“We are winning the World Series in 2022… We will win the World Series this year, put it on record.”
“We are winning the World Series in 2022… We will win the World Series this year, put it on record.”
–#Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts pic.twitter.com/wGtl1CRnwO
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) March 24, 2022
Despite conventional wisdom, Roberts’ prediction for his team this year is not as bold as it may seem. Following the addition of Freddie Freeman, LA can confidently say they boast the best roster in the entire MLB. The Dodgers now feature 3 former MVPs in their lineup, combined with All-Stars featured at every other position aside from Catcher. In their rotation, the Dodgers feature yet another MVP in Clayton Kershaw and a budding superstar in Walker Buehler. Spots 3-5 in their rotation and their bullpen may be the only areas the Dodgers cannot boast star talent, but even then these units remain consistent contributors.
The Dodgers will once again be challenged by their in-division rival Giants and Padres for playoff positioning. They will also face stiff competition from the Brewers, Braves, Mets, and Phillies for the NL pennant. However, with the wealth of talent at LA’s disposal it would be tough to bet against their success during the 2022 season.
