Dodgers Poised for Historic MLB Season: Award Contenders and Championship Aspirations

PHOENIX — The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for a season that could redefine baseball history. Manager Dave Roberts believes this year’s roster not only has the talent to excel but could also be one of the most celebrated teams in the sport.

Strong Candidates for Major Awards

During spring training, Roberts has consistently highlighted potential award winners among his players, building excitement for the upcoming season. Notable mentions include:

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani as Cy Young Award contenders
• Tyler Glasnow, a towering 6-foot-8 right-hander ready to join the best pitchers in the National League—provided he stays healthy.
• Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner, is also on the list despite being slowed by a shoulder injury.

MVP Contenders

Ohtani, a four-time MVP—twice with the Dodgers and twice with the Angels—leads discussions as the preseason favorite for the National League MVP award. Roberts has expressed confidence in his other players as well, stating:

• Mookie Betts is expected to be a serious MVP candidate.
• Kyle Tucker has “absolutely” the capability to join the race.

Roberts emphasized the importance of individual and collective greatness: “With the talent that we have in this room, in the clubhouse, they should expect individual great things as well as collective.”

This year could potentially see the Dodgers replicate their remarkable 2014 season, where Clayton Kershaw claimed both the MVP and Cy Young awards, or even the 1988 season, when Kirk Gibson and Orel Hershiser triumphed in their respective categories.

Aiming for League Dominance

The Dodgers are not just eyeing individual awards but also the potential to dominate the league standings. Recent history shows that teams like the 2023 Braves finished with multiple top candidates in the MVP race, with three players landing in the top seven, setting a high bar for the Dodgers to surpass.

Past Achievements

• 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers: Known for having three players—Dolph Camilli, Pete Reiser, and Whit Wyatt—finish 1-2-3 in MVP voting.
• 1966 Orioles: The last team to sweep the top three MVP spots, with Frank Robinson claiming the award.

The Dodgers’ depth offers them a unique opportunity this season, with multiple players in contention, reminiscent of dominant teams like the Big Red Machine from the 1970s.

Historical Context: MVP and Cy Young Candidates

Not all championship teams have had multiple MVP candidates. For instance, the San Francisco Giants’ squads from 2010-2014 never placed more than one player in the top 10 MVP voting, while the Yankees of the late 1990s had similar outcomes. In contrast, there have been instances where teams had multiple pitchers finish in the top ranks, as seen in 2019 when Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole finished 1-2 in the Cy Young vote.

Roberts’ Vision for the Season

Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior shares the excitement, acknowledging the impressive talent within the roster. He stated, “Being around these guys on a daily basis, as a fan and as a coach, it’s pretty incredible,” hinting at the team’s potential to etch its name in baseball history.

Conclusion

The Los Angeles Dodgers are more than just a playoff contender; they have the potential to dominate the league this season through a combination of individual accolades and a collective championship mindset. With a roster brimming with talent and ambition, the Dodgers are positioned to not only win games but also to claim coveted titles, making this a season to watch.

For continued updates and to follow the journey of the Dodgers, consider visiting MLB.com for the latest news and statistics.