Dodgers: 4 takeaways from the first 4 weeks of the MLB season

The Dodgers' new-look lineup still has power

Heading into Thursday's games, the Dodgers ranked second in MLB with 45 home runs and fourth in slugging percentage (.449). This is indicative of what the eye test would also tell you about this team: they can really hit for power. Muncy is leading MLB with 11 home runs and Outman is tied for sixth with seven. While the low batting average (.229, 26th in MLB) and on-base percentage (.321, 16th in MLB) have led to some offensive inconsistencies, the power numbers have allowed the Dodgers to rank fifth in MLB in runs scored (130) and seventh in OPS (.770).

Fans fully expect the power surge to continue throughout the rest of the season. Smith has missed over two weeks of games, and over those two weeks neither of the Dodgers' catchers have hit a home run. If Muncy and Outman can continue their starts to the season, getting Smith back will make this lineup even more dangerous. Pair that with the fact that the Dodgers' top stars in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have not hit as many homers as fans are accustomed to, and this lineup will continue to get scarier as the season progresses.