4 keys for the Dodgers to avoid another early playoff exit

The Stars Need to Maintain Production

Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have had an historic season atop the lineup for the Dodgers, keying many rallies as the two remain in the 2023 NL MVP race. It's worth noting that Betts, Will Smith and Justin Turner, all key fixtures in the 2022 lineup, all had an OPS of lower than .500 against the Padres in the 2022 NLDS. In fact, Austin Barnes, Freddie Freeman, Trea Turner and Max Muncy were the only Dodgers above a .550 OPS in the 2022 NLDS.

The point of looking at these stats is pointing out that the Dodgers' stars need to perform for Los Angeles to advance. Betts, Freeman, Smith, Muncy and also J.D. Martinez (who is basically replacing Justin Turner) need to set the tone early and must continue to come through in the clutch for this team to have success.

The importance of the big-name hitters in the Dodgers' lineup cannot be understated, but pitchers like Bobby Miller, Brusdar Graterol, Ryan Brasier and Evan Phillips also need to carry over their dominant ends to the season through the postseason for the Dodgers to have a chance. LA will surely get contributions from elsewhere in the lineup and pitching staff, but to take down the best of the best, the Dodgers need to be firing on all cylinders, and that starts with their biggest names.

Find What Works and Stick With it

Often times, the MLB postseason is truly just a reflection of who is hot at the right time. That can be an entire team, but more often manifests itself within one player. In 2020, Corey Seager and Randy Arozarena carried the Dodgers and Rays to the World Series. In 2022, Jeremy Peña had a postseason breakout to help the Astros win the World Series. Sometimes it's not always a star who puts the team on their back, and in the case of Peña (and also the 2021 Braves duo of Eddie Rosario and Jorge Soler), that's exactly what happened.

The Dodgers have many candidates for postseason breakouts. Whether it's veterans like Jason Heyward, Kiké Hernandez, David Peralta or rookies like James Outman, Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot, someone is almost guaranteed to give the Dodgers production from an unlikely source if Los Angeles is racking up postseason wins. However, recognizing who that may be early on can be a challenge.

Los Angeles has to avoid taking out starting pitchers early from great outings and also must be willing to change the lineup if someone is on a hot streak. It may be worth playing one of the lefty outfielders against a lefty starter in the right situation, and the same point stands for mixing up the starting rotation if one of the rookies (or even Lance Lynn), are outperforming expectations.

Prioritize Defense Late in Games

The Dodgers beat the Giants 3-2 in 10 innings on Sunday, but a key misplay by Kiké Hernandez in center field almost led to the Giants taking the lead. That play is important because it was a case where the Dodgers put Hernandez in to replace James Outman for the right platoon matchup, but it backfired defensively. Los Angeles cannot let mistakes like that play cost them postseason games, which is why they have to emphasize defense, especially when they have a late lead.

Peralta may be a better hitter than Chris Taylor in many situations, but Taylor is the better option in left field. The same principle applies to having Mookie in right field instead of Heyward. Keeping Heyward in right field while Mookie plays second base might optimize offense, but when the Dodgers are protecting a lead, there should be no hesitation to put Miguel Rojas at shortstop and Hernandez or Amed Rosario at second base to make sure that Mookie is roaming the outfield late in games.

Speaking of Rojas, although his bat may not be as potent as many other players on the Dodgers' roster, an argument can be made that Rojas is the best defender at his native position out of any player on Los Angeles' roster. It's definitely worth sacrificing an at-bat here and there from a more prominent hitter to get Rojas' glove on the field.

That applies throughout the game, but as I have discussed before, it is of the utmost importance for the Dodgers to make those changes when protecting leads. When you factor in Rojas hitting .300 in September with the importance of not making mistakes in the postseason, he will have to play a major role if the Dodgers want to succeed in the 2023 postseason.