Continuing series of Baseball Joes in which Ken predicts which paired team will win more games in 2015 (“projected wins” via FanGraphs) …
Dodgers (91 projected wins) vs. Angels (86)
Yeah, you can nitpick the Dodgers. Free-agent additions Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson have lengthy injury histories. Closer Kenley Jansen will be out at the start of the season after undergoing surgery on his left foot, and the bullpen could prove a work in progress. My biggest concern is a seeming lack of power, but if things go wrong, the new front office can adjust in July. One way or another, this will be a very good team.
The Angels should be very good, too – not the 98-win good of last season in an improved AL West, but certainly a contender. As I’ve written before, GM Jerry Dipoto has done well to quietly but effectively increase his pitching depth. But I’m worried about the offense – second base could be a black hole, and left field is an open question given the uncertainty surrounding Josh Hamilton. Mike Trout can only mask so much.
My pick: Dodgers 93 wins, Angels 88
