Dodgers: Five Bold Predictions for the Second Half

The Dodgers open up their second half of the season on Friday against the Miami Marlins. After several off days, the rest of the Dodgers will join their fellow All-Star teammates in Miami. What’s to come in the second half is anyone’s guess.

One thing is certain; it will be hard for the Dodgers to play any better than they were at the conclusion of the first half. Whether it was blowouts, comeback wins, or nail-biting wins, the Dodgers seemingly found ways to come out victorious at a record rate. Here are five bold predictions for the second half of the season.

Prediction: Kershaw wins 24 games en route to his 4th Cy Young award

Clayton Kershaw comes into the second half with 14 wins, which is already the most he’s ever had at the start of the second half of the season. My guess is that Clayton comes out with a chip on his shoulder after Joe Maddon went out of his way to say he would’ve started Scherzer even if Kershaw was able to start the All-Star game. What’s more dangerous than a motivated player?  How about the best pitcher of our generation with tons of motivation.

Kershaw will win 24 games this season and edge out Max Scherzer and teammate Alex Wood to capture his fourth Cy Young award. Clayton will finish the season 24-4, which will set a career high in wins for him.

The most wins Kershaw has ever had in a season is 21, which he did twice in 2011 and 2014, which were also Cy Young seasons. By winning 24 games, Kershaw will edge out Max Scherzer who will finish with a slightly lower ERA but far fewer wins due to the Nationals’ shaky bullpen.

Although it seemed to take Kershaw a little while to start dominating, he ended the first half with three straight double-digit strikeout games, and he only allowed two runs over the three starts combined. Kershaw has always been a second half guy and this season will be no different which is scary.  Enjoy watching yet another dominant season from Clayton Kershaw; he won’t be playing forever.

Prediction: Bellinger reaches the 40-homer plateau

Without a doubt, the biggest surprise this season has been the emergence of Cody Bellinger. It’s not that many doubted his talent since he was the top prospect, but nobody saw him being an elite talent this fast. Bellinger finished the first half with 25 home runs, but some fear he will struggle after participating in the Home Run Derby. Given that he is already a hitter that always swings for the fences, he should see no ill effects in the second half.

Mike Piazza currently holds the Dodger rookie record for home runs with 35, but I think Cody will pass that with ease and end the season with at least 40 homers. Although he currently has one home run in July, I think Cody picks off where he left off in the Derby and starts mashing right out of the gate. The Marlins pitching staff is not very good, so Bellinger could even hit a couple of home runs to start the first series post All-Star Game.

While pitchers will continue to adjust to Bellinger, he will also adjust to how pitchers are pitching him. Whether it’s a lefty or righty pitcher, Bellinger seems to have no holes against either. He became more patient as the season wore on and that will allow him to get better counts to hit in in the future.

There are not many hitters scarier than Bellinger with a 2-0, 2-1, 3-1, or 3-0 count. Although Aaron Judge seems to get all the love from sports media, there is another star blossoming in Los Angeles. Bellinger gets at least fifteen more bombs in the second half.

Prediction: Dodgers finally earn home-field advantage

The current franchise record for wins in a season is 105, which came in 1953. This season the Los Angeles will pass that and reach 106 wins. Due to a watered down National League, the Dodgers will ravage through the schedule with ease in the second half.  In fact, 30 of the first 36 games to start the second half come against teams that are under 500.

Equipped with enormous amounts of depth, LA should be able to withstand whatever comes their way. The Dodgers’ pitching rotation got hot right before the break, and they will continue that in the second half and provide the team with plenty of quality starts. After upgrading the offense at the trade deadline, Los Angeles will be a juggernaut with an above-average offense and defense.

By the time the Dodgers reach September, the Rockies and Diamondbacks should already have a firm grasp of the wild card spots. LA will steamroll through the division in September since they will be playing for home-field advantage in the playoffs and possibly the World Series. This is the first year in a while that the Dodgers will earn home field.

Prediction: Dodgers win it all

It’s been a long time coming, 29 years to be exact, but the Dodgers will end the drought this October. After winning the NL West for a fifth straight year, Los Angeles will face the Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series and beat them in four games. While the Diamondbacks are no slouches, the Dodgers seem to have their number this year.

After stomping out the snakes, the Boys in Blue will play the Nationals in a rematch of last year’s Divisional Series, only this time a trip to the World Series will be on the line.

Backed by a rotation that is four strong, and a much better bullpen, the Dodgers will knock out the Nationals in six games. Although Scherzer beats Kershaw in one game, the rest of the Dodger rotation steps up and eliminates Bryce Harper and Co.

In the World Series, LA will square off with the Cleveland Indians who make it back to the World Series for the second consecutive season. Despite being a worthy competitor, the Dodgers once again send Cleveland home as losers by capturing the World Series in five games.

Next: Should the Dodgers Sell High on Barnes?

Clayton Kershaw pitches two strong starts and takes home the World Series MVP. While Los Angeles had had plenty of strong seasons, this year’s team just feels special, and they will prove they are.