Wednesday, March 25,

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2026

Because the National League West is weak, it is a foregone conclusion that the Los Angeles Dodgers will win their division and reach the World Series.

I’m not too sure.

After the most boring spring training that I have ever covered, I see fixable holes on their roster. If the Dodgers stay healthy, they are a powerhouse.

But baseball has injuries. Over the last ten years, the Dodgers’ success has hinged on their health. And this upcoming season is no different.

Many think the 2026 Dodgers are the best team in Los Angeles history, but I’m not convinced. The additions of Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz strengthen the roster.

For the first time since 2021, when Kenley Jansen left, the Dodgers have a bona fide closer. Díaz has the highest active strikeout rate. He will anchor a questionable bullpen.

Neither Blake Treinen nor Tanner Scott has had a good spring. Treinen has been hit hard this spring, and Dave Roberts thinks he lacks confidence after a difficult 2025 season. At 37, Treinen might not have a healthy right forearm.

Scott began this spring well, but he can’t hit his spots as the spring has progressed. He threw a middle-cut fastball that went for a homer on Sunday. If Scott lives on the corners, he will be effective. If he doesn’t, Dodger fans will reach for Tums. .

When spring training began, the Dodgers thought Brusdar Graterol would be in the bullpen. He hasn’t gotten his velocity back. It’s uncertain when he’ll return.

Neither Ben Casparius nor Will Klein has had a good spring. They have had command issues. Returning from right shoulder surgery, Brock Stewart won’t be in the bullpen until late May. The Dodgers don’t have a great right-handed reliever until they decide to promote Kyle Hurt, who had a fantastic spring training. The Dodgers sent Hurt to Triple-A because they want to limit his innings after Tommy John surgery in June 2024.

The Dodgers have a good starting rotation. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani had great spring performances. On Tuesday, Ohtani struck out 11 in 4 innings.

Justin Wrobleski earned the sixth spot in the starting rotation. He mowed the Angels down on Tuesday. In 2025, he gained confidence, and it shows this season.

Roki Sasaki has an awful spring but is the Dodgers’ fourth starter. He has 15 walks and a 15.58 ERA in 8.2 innings. He doesn’t have confidence in his second season after coming over from Japan. If Blake Snell and Gavin Stone weren’t having shoulder issues, Sasaki would be in Oklahoma City to work on his mechanics and his new pitch. Undoubtedly, he has major league talent but needs refining.

Offensively, the Dodgers have an exceptionally strong lineup. Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages had sharp spring performances. Freddie Freeman’s swing is at its best point since the 2024 World Series. Mookie Betts has regained his weight since last spring, when he had a miserable stomach virus.

The weak link is second base until Tommy Edman or Kiké Hernández returns from injury. The decision to demote Hyeseong Kim to Oklahoma City hurt the offense, even though he didn’t walk and struck out too much. Alex Freeland, who batted .116 this spring, will platoon with World Series hero Miguel Rojas.

As of now, the Dodgers look ready for the marathon. Anything can happen in baseball. They should be playing in October.