On Sunday, the Dodgers unloaded their new top three batting order onto a spring training game for only the second time during the offseason play. The three-headed monster includes three MVP winners: Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman.
Between the three, you will find: three MVP awards, three World Series rings, a total of 24.8 WAR in the previous season, a sum of 112 home runs in the previous season and a batting average of .314 between the three in the previous season.
During the game against the Rockies, the three went for a combined of 7-for-9 with four RBI, three runs, and one strike out.
I still can’t believe this is the Dodgers of 2024.
Remember when the Dodgers traded for Mookie Betts before the 2020 season, and extended him before the season started? Do you remember how nervous the fans where that they wouldn’t get to watch Mookie play because the COVID situation derailed the season? Do you remember the panic?
Then, the Dodgers came from behind a 3-1 series deficit against the Braves in the NLCS and won its first World Series since 1988?
That is how it feels right now. The team feels destine to be something special this year. Yes, I am totally being a homer right now, but how could you not when you look at how stacked this team is? Not to mention Gavin Lux will be slotted in as the everyday short stop. Here comes the comeback season for Lux.
Can it be possible to end the season with the top three in the lineup finish as the top three finalists for the National League MVP award? SOMEONE PINCH ME!
OVER/UNDER
Let’s dive into the chances of that happening and decide who would win. I am going to set a hypothetical line for home runs, RBI, and batting average. Who ever leads the most will hypothetically be crowned the “Too early to be taken serious MVP of the 2024 season.” I will find the average of each category from the previous season and that will be the line.
For example: Mookie hit 39 home runs, Ohtani hit 44 home runs, and Freeman hit 29 homers. The average is 37.3. In this case, I will set the line at 37.5. LET’S PLAY BALL.
In terms of home runs, I will take the over on Mookie. He’s out for vengeance. After being ridiculed last October during the playoffs, he’s out to make a name for himself and he wants the ring. Moving to second base, full time, will also allow him to care for his legs more.
As for Ohtani, I will also take the over. He will focus only on hitting this season. This may be the best hitting season for him.
Freeman on the other hand doesn’t just focus on homers. He hits the ball all over the field, but hitting is contagious. Let’s go with the over, as well.
THAT’S A WHOLE LOT OF HOMERS.
WAR
The line for WAR will be set at 8.5 for the three. Last year, Ohtani held a WAR of 10, but he was pitching. For that reason alone, I will take the under of 8. He won’t be doing anything else other than hitting as the DH.
Mookie and Freeman are a different story. With the two amigos in the infield, talking and bonding even more, I will take the over on both.
BATTING AVERAGE
The line for batting average is set at .314 and will take the over on Ohtani and Freeman. There is no way that these two will not slug all season with Mookie at-top. It is going to be a monstrous season for them.
Mookie will be close but not over the .314 mark, and I will take the under. He hasn’t hit over .315 since his 2018 MVP season with the Red Sox.
MVP of the 2024 season
Spoiler alert, the National League will crown its first DH MVP in the history of the league. Congrats on winning, Shohei Ohtani. You did it, Sho. Now, go hug your wife and maybe take a trip to Disneyland.
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