Countdown to Opening Day: #18 Los Angeles Dodgers

By Andrew Marcus

Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2011 Major League Baseball season I am going to be examining a different team every day. Starting with the Pirates, working toward the Phillies. I will give you my projected starters, breakout and bust players, biggest spring training question and top prospect.

PROJECTED LINEUP

SS Rafael Furcal

1B James Loney

CF Matt Kemp

RF Andre Ethier

2B Juan Uribe

3B Casey Blake

C Rob Barajas

LF Tony Gwynn

P Clayton Kershaw

PROJECTED ROTATION

Clayton Kershaw

Chad Billingsley

Hiroki Kuroda

Ted Lilly

Jon Garland

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Jonathan Broxton
Set-up - Hong-Chih Kuo

Top Prospect - Kenley Jensen (RHP)

Breakout

Kenley Jensen - Jonathan Broxton has run out of chances and new manager Don Mattingly, though he has named Broxton his closer, has no real ties to him. Jensen, a former catcher with a big arm, will be given a shot to close if the big man falters. Jensen could be a sleeper for a 20 save season.

Bust

Juan Uribe - I can't stand the public perception of Uribe right now. So he had a decent post season and a solid year. He may not hurt the Dodgers chances, but that doesn't mean he helps them either. I look for Uribe to hit less than 20 homers and come off the bench by   the second half of the season.

Biggest Spring Training Question

Coming out of left field - While left field is a big concern (Tony Gwynn, Jay Gibbons and  Marcus Thames battling) the entire outfield's production could be the difference between 1st and fourth place. If Kemp can get his head on straight and Ethier can stay healthy, the Dodgers could make a run a division title and one of their outfielders could have the talent to win an MVP>

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 80-82

What kind of Kemp will the Dodgers get?

PROJECTED FINISH: 2nd in the National League West

***THANKS FOR READING MY TEAM BY TEAM OUTLOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME
 

Check back tomorrow for the Florida Marlins