2020 Dodgers Chances to Take the NL West

What makes the 2020 Dodgers Chances So Good?

It"s no secret that the Dodgers are the clear favorites to win the NL West again this coming season. In fact, they are even the favorites to win the 2020 World Series according to Vegas Insider, as they are placed at +375 just in front of the Yankees who are at +400.

Well for starters, they have made it to the World Series the past two seasons. The team totaled an astounding 106 wins last year and only got better this offseason when acquiring the 2018 MVP Mookie Betts from the Red Sox. Speaking of MVP does the name Cody Bellinger sound familiar? He and Betts look to become a force in the middle of that lineup. Not to mention the depth in the batting order makes them one of the best in baseball. Los Angeles can boast great players like Max Muncy, Justin Turner, and Joc Pederson, and the pitching staff is no different.

Along with every other serious baseball fan, the Dodgers are my pick to win the NL West this year. However, here"s why some up and coming teams could be spoilers in the shortened season:

The Spoilers

In my opinion there are two teams who realistically could spoil the Dodgers fun in 2020: The Arizona Diamondbacks and The San Diego Padres

Starting with Arizona, the D-Backs have finished over .500 in the last three previous seasons. They have a solid core of players headlined by rising superstar Ketel Marte. Other players like David Peralta and Eduardo Escobar provide pop to the Diamondbacks as well. Arizona was also fairly busy this offseason, acquiring pitcher Madison Bumgarner and outfielder Starling Marte. Both of these names look to make significant roles within the organization this year.

On the other hand, San Diego has made some strides as well, trading for Tommy Pham and Trent Grisham. Not to mention grabbing Emilo Pagan and Zach Davies too. Mackenzie Gore should also become a great new presence on the Friars pitching staff, as the 6"2, 200 pound, left-handed pitcher is currently the number-5 prospect in all of baseball. Manny Machado looks to bounce back after a .256 batting average in 2019, while Fernando Tatis Jr.will hope to add on another great season.

Both of these clubs have some hope to win the NL West title, but it won"t be particularly easy. If they want any sort of chance at reaching this goal, they will need to own their matchups against the Dodgers. Not to mention the Astros and the A"s in the stacked AL West. The odds may be favored against them, but in a 60-game season anything is possible.

The Long Shots

Last but not least (well kind of) we have the long shots. My two long shots for the NL West this year are the Rockies and the Giants. Here"s why:

The Rockies and Giants are neither terrible nor terrific. Both teams have enough talent to win ball games, hell the Rockies even have one of the best players in the sport – Nolan Arenado. But both teams seem somewhat suspect to me. Neither pitching staff has a true “ace". The Giants losing Madison Bumgarner will hurt them a lot. Also, Buster Posey has now opted out of the 2020 baseball season. These were two important pieces that helped the Giants win ball games last year and without seeing any immediate replacements, I can"t be so high on them this year. On the other hand, the Rockies bullpen continues to be a problem for them, and moving in and out of Coors Field so often during the shortened season won"t help their bodies either.

I"m not saying these teams have no shot at winning the NL West, but a lot of things have to go right for both of these clubs. I wish them the best of luck, and hey, I wouldn"t put anything past any team in a 60-game season. Baseball is weird. Sit down and evaluate the entirety of the teams in the NL West. You"ll see it could be anybody"s division to take.

Follow me on Twitter @samfosberg for more of my content!

Come discuss this and much more at the Overtime Heroics forums!

main image credit

Embed from Getty Images