4 keys for the Dodgers to avoid another early playoff exit

It has been well documented that the Dodgers wildly underachieved in the 2022 postseason. After setting a franchise record with 111 wins and capturing the NL West title by 22 games over the second-place Padres, who the Dodgers were 14-5 against in the regular season, San Diego defeated LA in the 2022 NLDS.

The early exit in the NLDS was a shock to the Dodgers, especially considering how easily they discarded the Padres throughout the regular season. But it's been a year since that disappointing performance, and the playoffs are now around the corner once again.

The 2023 season has been a much different story, too. The Braves enter the postseason as the heavy favorites to roll through the NL and win another World Series. But, as Dodgers fans know from last year (and many other years in recent memory), the team with the best record in the regular season isn't typically the team that goes on to win the World Series.

The Dodgers were supposed to have a "down year" in 2023 but have wildly exceeded expectations ... even though winning the NL West is something they've gotten used to. Success for Los Angeles is measured almost entirely by postseason performance, and the Dodgers have to focus on a few key areas to avoid another early exit in 2023.

Dodgers 2023 Playoffs: 3 keys to make a deep run

Better Situational Hitting

In 2022, perhaps the biggest reason for the Dodgers' downfall was poor situational hitting. LA scored a healthy five runs in Game 1 of the NLDS, but failed to tally more than three in any of the three consecutive losses that ended the series. It wasn't a lack of baserunners that forced the early exit, either.

In Game 2, the Dodgers had 11 hits, but only three solo home runs resulted in those baserunners crossing home plate. In Game 3, the Dodgers went 0-for-9 as a team with runners in scoring position, and the only run scored via a Mookie Betts sacrifice fly. In the series clincher, Game 4, the Dodgers scored three runs, but could have easily scored more if not for a 2-for-9 team-wide performance with RISP.

In the 2023 postseason, the Dodgers must be better in these scenarios. As a team, the Dodgers are hitting .276 with an .821 OPS with RISP. However, in 2022, the Dodgers hit .272 with an .824 OPS with RISP. Given the breakdown in the 2022 postseason, performance with RISP doesn't necessarily translate from the large sample size of the regular season to the small sample size of a postseason series. Regardless, the Dodgers can't go cold in this department in the NLDS.

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.

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.