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Dodgers: Three storylines to watch after clinching the division

By Michael Wittman

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Gavin Lux #48 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single to center field in the second inning of the MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Gavin Lux #48 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single to center field in the second inning of the MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 28: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after being hit by a pitch during the fifth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on August 28, 2019 in San Diego, California. Muncy left the game after being examined by trainers. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Can key contributors return from injury and play well?

Injuries continue to take their toll on the 2019 Dodgers as Justin Turner is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his bothersome left ankle.  Max Muncy is set to return Friday against the New York Mets.  Rich Hill is returning this afternoon against the Orioles.  Then there is Alex Verdugo who is trying to get right after a back/oblique injury.

For Max Muncy, his return will be more of a pain tolerance type situation.  His wrist is going to be sore every time he gets jammed or hits a ball off the end of the bat.  Can he battle through the pain and get back to launching home runs for the Dodgers?  Then there is the aforementioned Hill who will return but is no lock to hold up the rest of the season.

Max Muncy, Justin Turner, and Rich Hill are all three key contributors for the Dodgers and if they are not close to 100% then the Dodgers’ chances of winning the World Series decrease significantly.  While Alex Verdugo is not a key contributor like those three veterans, if he returns he could give the Dodgers another outfield option should Joc Pederson go cold in the postseason.

The Dodgers are one of the most talented teams in baseball when healthy, but they are no lock to enter the postseason close to 100% healthy.

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