2010 Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

This is a preview of the 2010 season. We will look at the different divisions, teams, and players. This is also featured on Phillies Nation, as part of their 2010 preview.

In 2009, the Los Angeles Dodgers finished 95-67, 1st place in NL West.

For the second consecutive year, the Phillies ended the Dodgers' season by winning the National League pennant. The series was highlighted by Jimmy Rollins' walk-off against Jonathan Broxton, one of the league's premier closers. The Dodgers may not have advanced to the World Series, but they had strong combination of offense and pitching to build a very good team.

Manny Ramirez received a 50-game suspension, leading many to think that the Dodgers' season would be in jeopardy. However, players like Matt Kemp and Andre Eithier stepped up and led the Dodgers to the postseason.

Chad Billinsgley was not the ace he was in previous years, but the Dodgers still had one of the league's top pitching staffs. At just 21 years of age, Clayton Kershaw proved that he can be a dominant Major League pitcher. In addition, the Dodgers had one of the best bullpens in all of baseball.

During the off-season, the Dodgers did not make any significant moves to improve their team. After a 95-win season, did they really need to?

The Dodgers' lineup will look exactly the same. Ramirez, Kemp, and Eithier make up a star-studded outfield, and will provide much of the offense. The Dodgers are hoping catcher Russell Martin can rebound from 2009, when he batted .250 with a .680 on-base plus slugging percentage.

At this time, the fifth spot in the rotation is undecided. Kershaw and Billingsley will be the Dodger's one-two punch. If Hiroki Kuroda remains healthy for the 2010 campaign, the Dodgers could have one of the strongest rotations in baseball.

George Sherill, a former closer, will be the set-up man for Broxton. While Sherill and Broxton are the biggest names in the 'pen, relievers like Ramon Troncoso, Ronal Belisario, and James McDonald are ones to keep an eye on.

The Dodgers have the talent to reach the postseason once again, but can they avoid the heartbreak ending?

Prediction: 93-69

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Players of the Week: April 13-19

For the American League, Ian Kinsler and Zach Greinke shared Co-Players of the Week. In the National League, Andre Ethier earned the award.

Last week, Kinsler hit .556 with 2 HR, 4 doubles, a triple, 9 runs, and 6 RBI. His on base percentage was .500 and his slugging percentage was .864, a 1.364 OPS. Not only did he lead the majors in average, but also led in hits, 15, extra base hits, 7, and runs scored.

Kinsler had a career night on April 15, Jackie Robinson day, when he went 6-6 and hit for the cycle, two rare feats in one game. He became the first player in the modern era to hit for the cycle and get six hits.

In two starts last week, Greinke pitched 14 scoreless innings, going 2-0, including one complete game shutout. He currently leads the American league with 26 strikeouts.

Ethier, of the Dodgers batted .391 with 12 RBI, 4 HR and scored 8 runs. He slugged 1.000.

Ethier's teammates Matt Kemp and Chad Billingsley and Orlando Hudson were runners up for the award.