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.