We have been here before

Phil Gurnee ♦ April 19, 2018 ♦ Leave a comment

Some things are different about this Dodger team in April, such as no Justin Turner, Matt Kemp in left field, Chris Taylor in centerfield, but as Jon Weisman noted the record is very similar:

And here we are. After 17 games:
2017 Dodgers: 8-9 3rd 3 GB
2018 Dodgers: 8-9 3rd 4 GB

— Jon Weisman (@jonweisman) April 19, 2018

Luckily for the Dodgers in both 2017 and 2018, they got to play the Padres early in April. In 2017 the Dodgers opened with the Padres and played them four games winning three of the four. This year the reeling Dodgers just finished a three-game sweep of the Padres.

Last year after starting 8 –  9 they played Arizona, SF, and the Phillies finishing the month 14 – 12. This year they get the Nationals, Miami, Giants, and one game with Arizona. That is one good team, two very bad teams, and their main competition for the NL West title. The odds are good that the Dodgers will match the 14 – 12 of last year. The odds aren’t as good that they will reel off a 19 – 9 May on the way to 104 wins but the odds are still good that they can overtake the Diamondbacks/Rockies and win another NL West Title.