Dodgers

Dodgers News: The 3 Most Exciting Matchups For LA in Newly Aligned Divisions

The original 2020 schedule for the Dodgers was not much to look at. Unless these days really are the end of times (and 2020 is only halfway over, so who’s to say), it is safe to assume the Dodgers would have taken the National League West title for the eighth consecutive season under the original season. Additionally, they were scheduled to face the AL Central, putting them up against the likes of the Twins (2019: 101-61), the Indians (2019: 93-69), the White Sox (2019: 72-89), the Royals (2019: 59-103), and the Tigers (2019: 47-144).

Needless to say, the regular season wasn’t looking all that formidable. Which makes last night’s announcement all the more interesting.

According to the proposed realignment, the NL West and AL West would combine to form a 10-team West division, with the AL/NL East and the AL/NL Central following suit. As per the agreement to the realigned divisions, teams will only play those within their own division to limit travel and maximize safety for the players and staff. Take a look at the graphic below.

MLB: Analyzing a possible three-division plan for 2020

Here are 3 matchups we are excited to see for Dodgers with the newly aligned divisions.

Oakland Athletics sink Mariners, 10-2 | KRON4

VS. Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics have been a dark horse in the AL West for the last two years. Although they lost both Wild Card games over the last two seasons, the A’s have finished as a relatively close second to the Houston Astros in their division in as much time.

What is exciting here for Dodger fans is that for the first time in a long time, there’s a chance for some good competition from the Bay Area. The A’s have a quietly stellar lineup. In 2019, they hit the 5th most home runs in the league and struck out fewer times over the season than the Dodgers. Oakland had the 8th-most runs scored in the league with only the 14th-most hits, demonstrating they can score runs with some small ball as well.

However, Oakland is perhaps best known for its magic on the defensive side of the ball.

Laureano led the team in batting average (.288) and completes an outfield as deadly as the Killer B’s. Oh yeah, and none of them are Gold Glovers. Third baseman Matt Chapman won his second Gold Glove in as many years last year, locking it down at the hot corner. Their pitching staff had the sixth-lowest ERA in the league, holding opposing teams to a .240 batting average. And let us not forget that they have a pitcher in Sean Manaea, who threw a no-hitter in 2018.

Both teams are capable of power-hitting and elite defending. It’ll be interesting to see which team can do so the longest.

Who is the best team in LA? Angels or Dodgers? - Daily Titan

VS. Los Angeles Angels

The Angels are a regular fixture in the Dodgers’ yearly schedule. Dubbed the Freeway Series, the crosstown rivalry just a trip down the 5 freeway is anything but friendly. The flames were stoked this offseason over the acquisition of coveted third baseman and World Series Champion, Anthony Rendon. The Dodgers were involved in the offseason sweepstakes for Rendon until he signed on with Angels in Anaheim. Regarding his choice to wear Angel red instead of Dodger blue in Los Angeles, he had this to say:

“The hollywood lifestyle didn’t seem like it would be a fit for us as a family…I think when people think about California, they think about Straight Hollywood, that Hollywood glamour, whole bunch of flashes, so much paparazzi.” – Anthony Rendon

Rendon hasn’t played against the Dodgers in an Angels uniform yet, and Dodger fans already don’t like him.

For some added intrigue to these matchups, we will also get a reminder of what could have happened if the front office sent Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling to the Angels for infielder Luis Rengifo. Rengifo spent the majority of 2019 playing at the major league level. As a switch-hitting infielder, he most likely would have become a daily fixture at second base—something the Dodgers have missed over the last few seasons. While they would have sent Ross Stripling and Joc Pederson down the 5, the Angels ultimately would reject the trade.

MLB Network free preview gives Astros fans Game 3 access - Houston ...VS. Houston Astros.

Before they moved to the American League in 2013, the Astros were in the NL West with the Dodgers. However, a renewed divisional rivalry was the last thing on the minds of Dodger fans when they heard the Astros and Dodgers would be playing in the same division.

Some might call it happenstance, while others call it destiny that Dodgers would get to play the Astros after a 2019 investigation reported that Houston used a camera in centerfield at Minute-Maid Park to steal signs during the 2017 regular season that resulted in their first World Series title against the Dodgers. Needless to say, the league was not happy. The Dodgers would have to wait until the 2021 season to play the Astros again. By then, tensions will have died down (probably) and the issue would be another string of tension in an otherwise tense rivalry.

But Christmas is coming a little earlier this year for Dodger fans, and for baseball fans around the country. While fans may not be able to share their displeasure with the Astros from the stands, they will get to watch action-packed baseball from the comfort of their couches.

The Astros are a stacked team from top to bottom, a fact that begs the question as to why they needed to cheat in the first place. The Dodgers will also have the added benefit of utilizing two former American Leaguers. Mookie Betts hit .334 against Astros pitching in 2019. Despite his only appearance against Houston in 2019 lasting two-thirds of an inning due to flu-like symptoms, David Price delivered stellar performances in games two and five of the 2018 ALCS against the Astros. He threw 13 strikeouts and allowed just 4 earned runs over 10.2 innings, holding a powerful Houston lineup to just a .200 batting average.

The Dodgers and their fans want retribution, and it might come a lot sooner than anticipated. However first, the players and owners need to agree on the money.

Christian Camacho

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, I grew up cheering for the Dodgers and the Lakers. I went across the country to Florida State University (Go Noles!) to study Communications and Sport Management. Now, I'm back in the valley looking to contribute to the LA sports scene.
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