Dodgers: Ten Crucial Questions the Dodgers Have to Answer in 2019

After coming off back-to-back World Series losses, the Dodgers went into the off season with numerous questions that needed to be answered.  And while several of the those questions have been answered, some new questions have arisen.

Here are some of the questions the Dodgers face as well as some predictions for the 2019 season:

 Question 1: What is going on with Kershaw?

The biggest question that loomed for the Dodgers this off-season was the status of the Dodgers’ ace pitcher, Clayton Kershaw.  The future Hall of Famer had the right to opt out of his contract and become a free agent after the season ended.  That question was answered quickly as both Kershaw and the Dodgers seemed to genuinely want to get a deal done, as evidenced by their mutual agreement to extend the deadline Kershaw had to make his decision.  Within a few days they had agreed to a three year extension for $93 million, plus incentives based on number of games started, awards won, etc.

The other question about Kershaw’s status is still unknown.  Namely will Kershaw be able to stay healthy and maybe even pick up a few ticks in his velocity.  Kershaw has lost playing time to back issues several times in the last five years, including the last three years.  He also lost time last year due to biceps tendinitis in his pitching arm.  While I am certainly no doctor, I am hoping that last year’s dip in velocity was more a function of his tendinitis than his age or back issues.

If so, I think it would be much more likely that he could return to “vintage” Kershaw.  On a side note, it makes one realize just how insanely good Kershaw has been throughout his career when posting a 2.73 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 161 innings is thought of as a disappointing year.  Even if his velocity doesn’t pick up, I still have faith that Kershaw has enough talent and smarts to still be an incredibly effective, if not still elite, pitcher.  Either way, time will tell on this question.