2023 Baseball update

 Of course the Dodgers are my main interest in baseball and since last year was the greatest single season they have ever had with 111 wins, I figured now at the halfway mark would be a good time to reflect on what has happened so far in the new season.

Needless to say there have been huge surprises....both positive and negative.

And by the way those surprises extend to all of Major League Baseball.

Injuries' affect all teams in baseball and the Dodgers are no exception.

Two weeks ago the Dodgers had 5 rookies on the field at the same time.  I don't ever remember that happening but I've only been paying close attention since 1958.

During the off-season the Dodger front office gave us every indication that this would be a year where the young studs in their farm system would get some opportunities.

I'm pretty sure they didn't think there would be this many opportunities but alas that is exactly what is happening.

Two of the biggest surprises have been players that haven't seen their rookie seasons in quite awhile.

Justin Hayward and David Peralta 

J.D. Martinez is not a surprise because he has always been good.

Justin Hayward's last five season's have been horrible and  now once again he is a stud.

The pitching staff has been slammed by injuries and new arms are introducing themselves.

Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone, Michael Grove and Emmet Sheehan have done a very adequate job of replacing Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Ryan Pepiot as well as Noah Syndergaard and now Clayton Kershaw.

After ten years of leading the division this year will prove a huge challenge because other teams have young players that are also getting their chance and are responding.  The Arizona Diamondbacks are a total surprise and San Diego has underperformed so far but they have a lineup that should prove very tough during the second half.

Baseball is game of streaks and the Dodgers last 10 years have been wonderful.  Of course I'm talking about the regular season which is 162 games.  The other season, which requires an additional 11 or 12 victories has been a total success only once....in 2020.

Can the Dodgers win the World Series in 2023?

Two things about baseball......there's no crying and there's no predicting.  Just ask Dave Roberts about last year during spring training.  Big mistake Dave!

Of course the Dodgers can win the World Series.....but so can Tampa Bay, Texas, Houston, San Diego, Minnesota, New York, Atlanta, Cleveland and Cincinnati.....whoa.....wait just a sec.  Cinny was 2000 to 1 before the season started and they currently lead the Central division and apparently have the greatest young player since Mickey Mantle.

Mr. Otani of the Angels has something to say about that.  He is in a class of his own and the rumors keep saying he might be a Dodger next year.  I find it hard to believe they would spend $500 MILLION but then again the owners have more money than Warren Buffet so who knows.

Can the Dodgers win the World Series?

THE REAL QUESTION TO BE ASKED IS....

CAN THE DODGERS REACH THE PLAYOFFS?

And as always I say the same thing I've said since 1958/

I sure hope so!

One thing I'm really ready for is a summer winning streak and hopefully it started last night with a 5-2 win over the surprising Pittsburg Pirates who are only 4 games behind Cincinnati.

The teams that should respond in the second half of 2023 are Philadelphia, St. Louis and the New York Yankees.

July 4 to October 1 is the greatest time for Major League Baseball and I'm ready to play coach......put me in.

Go Dodgers!