Countdown to Opening Day #3 Los Angeles Dodgers

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#3 Los Angeles Dodgers:Hollywood stars aligning

PROJECTED LINEUP
RF Yasiel Puig
LF Carl Crawford
CF Matt Kemp
SS Hanley Ramirez
1B Adrian Gonzalez
3B Juan Uribe
C AJ Ellis
2B Dee Gordon

PROJECTED ROTATION
Clayton Kershaw
Zack Greinke
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Dan Haren
Josh Beckett

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Kenley Jansen

Set-up: Chris Perez

Top Prospect: Joc Pederson (OF)

Somehow the Dodgers have  become the nation's darling, the team to take home this year's World Series title. Maybe it's because they have Clayton Kershaw at the front of the rotation or sophomore Yasiel Puig

Clayton Hershaw

playing in the outfield. But questions surround this team more than any other favorite I can remember.
There are four outfielders for three spots with Puig, Carl Crawford, Matt Kemp, and Andre Ethier. Luckily there is no way all four are healthy at one time. Kemp already proving that be true. Their infield is made up of Juan Uribe and Dee Gordon, which is not exactly names that call out championship.
Even behind Kershaw and Zack Greinke are a pair of veterans in Dan Haren and Josh Beckett, both with their best days behind them. With allf that negativity being said, Kershaw is a stopper and guys like Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez come to play everyday. The Dodgers will undoubtedly be in the mix, but will they have enough depth on the 25 man roster to compete with the St. Louis and Washingtons of the world?

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - When Matt Kemp gets back on the field once the Dodgers are done in Australia he never stops swinging the hot stick. But his production just helps Hanley Ramirez realize his potential and the former Miami Marlin manages to win the MVP award. Kershaw adds a third cy-young and is well on his way to the Hall of Fame. A World Series ring certainly helps his credentials.

Hanley Ramirez

REAL TALK - There is a party being heard from that is shying away from the Dodgers winning anything becuase of their bench and infielders. There top-line talent is so good that the Uribe and Gordon types just cannot do anything to hurt them and they will be fine. Just hit a clutch homer or steal a bag or two every now and then. I think they might be the best bet to win their division this season, but I also think there are teams in NL playoffs that will not back down from boys in blue.




Breakout: Hanley Ramirez (SS)

Bust: Dan Haren (SP)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Dee Gordon (2B)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 92-70 (1st in NL West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 96-66 (1st in NL West)

**Check back tomorrow for the Detroit Tigers*