Dodgers, sans Manny or Bryce, still plenty to handle

BY KATIE WOO

After six straight division titles, the Dodgers are still the talk of the West, but don’t count out the Rockies to make another push. Los Angeles has reached the World Series the past two seasons but hasn’t been able to cash in. Both Colorado and San Diego are on the rise, although the Padres are a little further from contention than Colorado. Last year, the NL West needed a Game 163 to determine the champion, and while the Dodgers emerged victorious, the Rockies are just getting started.

1.L.A.Dodgers

Last year: 92-71 – First Place – Lost to Red Sox in World Series 4-1.

Key losses: OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, OF Matt Kemp, C Kyle Farmer, LHP Alex Wood, INF Manny Machado, INF Brian Dozier, INF Chase Utley, SHP Pat Venditte

Key newcomers: OF A.J. Pollock, C Russell Martin, RHP Joe Kelly, RHP

Best-case scenario: After missing the entire 2018 season, Corey Seager (above left) returns to aid Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson and Max Muncy, and Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Walker Buehler become a 1-2-3 powerhouse in the order as the Dodgers finally win that highly-coveted World Series title.

Worst-case scenario: The third time isn’t the charm, and the Dodgers miss out on another shot at being world champions.