Yeah, so I'm about a month and a half late on this one, I know. I hardly have time for anything these days, so blame my hectic schedule… or, better yet, you can just blame Kyle. Personally, I prefer the latter. Anyway…
In a sense, I'm glad to start this thread a bit on the late side. Because it's early enough to where things can drastically change, but late enough to where you can potentially sense what could be some of the team's strengths and weaknesses going forward. Having said that, let's provide some context on how early it is in the season:
The Dodgers are 17-14, in 3rd place. Put differently, we're barely 20% through the season. To provide additional context:
1. The 2005 Dodgers started 12-2. One of the worst teams in franchise history.
2. The 2013 Dodgers started… well, I don't remember the exact numbers, but they were pretty freaking awful through June. Came within 2 games of the World Series. Thanks Hanley and Puig.
3. The 2015 Dodgers' bullpen was lights out through Memorial Day. Uh, this team did not go down known for their bullpen greatness.
I can go on, but you get the idea. So, in addition to the fancy poll I've created, let's answer the following questions…
The Team
1. How many games do the Dodgers win, this year?
2. Is it enough to win the NL West?
3. Which team will be the greatest threat in the division?
4. What do you see being the team's strengths?
5. What do you see being the team's weaknesses?
6. Are the Dodgers as good as their main NL rivals (Cubs, Nationals, etc.)? If not, can they be?
7. Is Rich Hill a valuable contributor to this team come September?
8. What about Hyun-jin Ryu?
9. The starting outfield for the Dodgers on August 1st is…
10. The starting rotation for the Dodgers on September 1st is…
11. The starting first baseman for the Dodgers on September 1st is…
12. Does Chase Utley finish the season as a Dodger?
13. Does Cody Bellinger win NL ROY?
14. The biggest surprise for the Dodgers this year will be…
15. Which continues to recede faster in 2017: Andre Ethier's health or his hairline?
Numbers
1. Predict Clayton Kershaw's numbers
2. Does he win another Cy Young?
3. Predict Julio Urias's numbers
4. Predict Cody Bellinger's numbers
5. Predict Kenta Maeda's numbers
The Front Office
1. What's your grade of their offseason?
2. What would you have done differently that would make this team better? When answering this question, don't go into fantasy baseball mode, keep in mind the circumstances (payroll, trade demands from other teams, prospects, etc.).
3. What do you like most about this FO? What do they get right?
4. What do you least like about this FO? What do they get wrong?
5. Predict their trade deadline
6. Do you feel confident they can/will deliver a World Series title?
In a sense, I'm glad to start this thread a bit on the late side. Because it's early enough to where things can drastically change, but late enough to where you can potentially sense what could be some of the team's strengths and weaknesses going forward. Having said that, let's provide some context on how early it is in the season:
The Dodgers are 17-14, in 3rd place. Put differently, we're barely 20% through the season. To provide additional context:
1. The 2005 Dodgers started 12-2. One of the worst teams in franchise history.
2. The 2013 Dodgers started… well, I don't remember the exact numbers, but they were pretty freaking awful through June. Came within 2 games of the World Series. Thanks Hanley and Puig.
3. The 2015 Dodgers' bullpen was lights out through Memorial Day. Uh, this team did not go down known for their bullpen greatness.
I can go on, but you get the idea. So, in addition to the fancy poll I've created, let's answer the following questions…
The Team
1. How many games do the Dodgers win, this year?
2. Is it enough to win the NL West?
3. Which team will be the greatest threat in the division?
4. What do you see being the team's strengths?
5. What do you see being the team's weaknesses?
6. Are the Dodgers as good as their main NL rivals (Cubs, Nationals, etc.)? If not, can they be?
7. Is Rich Hill a valuable contributor to this team come September?
8. What about Hyun-jin Ryu?
9. The starting outfield for the Dodgers on August 1st is…
10. The starting rotation for the Dodgers on September 1st is…
11. The starting first baseman for the Dodgers on September 1st is…
12. Does Chase Utley finish the season as a Dodger?
13. Does Cody Bellinger win NL ROY?
14. The biggest surprise for the Dodgers this year will be…
15. Which continues to recede faster in 2017: Andre Ethier's health or his hairline?
Numbers
1. Predict Clayton Kershaw's numbers
2. Does he win another Cy Young?
3. Predict Julio Urias's numbers
4. Predict Cody Bellinger's numbers
5. Predict Kenta Maeda's numbers
The Front Office
1. What's your grade of their offseason?
2. What would you have done differently that would make this team better? When answering this question, don't go into fantasy baseball mode, keep in mind the circumstances (payroll, trade demands from other teams, prospects, etc.).
3. What do you like most about this FO? What do they get right?
4. What do you least like about this FO? What do they get wrong?
5. Predict their trade deadline
6. Do you feel confident they can/will deliver a World Series title?