Predicting Los Angeles Dodgers' 2016 Opening Day Lineup

By Brad Berreman

After another early postseason exit last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a new manager in place with Dave Roberts taking over for Don Mattingly. When the Dodgers take the field Apr. 4 against the San Diego Padres, here’s what the lineup should look like.

Predicting Los Angeles Dodgers\' 2016 Opening Day Lineup
← Tip: Use keyboard arrows to navigate →

1. 2B Howie Kendrick

2B Howie Kendrick Credit: Getty Images
The Dodgers used 12 hitters in the leadoff spot last year, and Roberts has said he won't have a set leadoff hitter. Kendrick is as good a candidate as anyone else, so he he gets the Opening Day nod.

1. 2B Howie Kendrick

The Dodgers used 12 hitters in the leadoff spot last year, and Roberts has said he won't have a set leadoff hitter. Kendrick is as good a candidate as anyone else, so he he gets the Opening Day nod.

2. LF Carl Crawford

LF Carl Crawford Credit: Getty Images
Andre Ethier will be sidelined 10-14 weeks with a fractured right tibia, which sets up a left field platoon of Crawford and Scott Van Slyke for the Dodgers early in the season. With right-hander Tyson Ross likely on the bump for the Padres on Opening Day, Crawford fills the No. 2 spot in the order.

2. LF Carl Crawford

Andre Ethier will be sidelined 10-14 weeks with a fractured right tibia, which sets up a left field platoon of Crawford and Scott Van Slyke for the Dodgers early in the season. With right-hander Tyson Ross likely on the bump for the Padres on Opening Day, Crawford fills the No. 2 spot in the order.

3. 1B Adrian Gonzalez

1B Adrian Gonzalez Credit: Getty Images
Approaching 34 years old, Gonzalez keeps going in terms of production (28 home runs and 90 RBIs last season) and durability (at least 156 games played in 10 straight seasons). He is the Dodgers' best hitter, so Gonzalez belongs in the three-hole.

3. 1B Adrian Gonzalez

Approaching 34 years old, Gonzalez keeps going in terms of production (28 home runs and 90 RBIs last season) and durability (at least 156 games played in 10 straight seasons). He is the Dodgers' best hitter, so Gonzalez belongs in the three-hole.

4. 3B Justin Turner

3B Justin Turner Credit: Getty Images
Turner had a nice 2015 season (.294, 16 home runs and 60 RBIs over 385 at-bats). Durability is a concern, including his recovery microfracture knee surgery last October, but Turner is on track for Opening Day and should fill the cleanup spot.

4. 3B Justin Turner

Turner had a nice 2015 season (.294, 16 home runs and 60 RBIs over 385 at-bats). Durability is a concern, including his recovery microfracture knee surgery last October, but Turner is on track for Opening Day and should fill the cleanup spot.

5. RF Yasiel Puig

RF Yasiel Puig Credit: Ezra Shaw Getty Images
Puig's 2015 was wrecked by leg issues, and he reportedly lost weight during the offseason. The talent he showed during his 2013 breakout debut is still there at age 25, and Puig will the Dodgers' most important player this year.

5. RF Yasiel Puig

Puig's 2015 was wrecked by leg issues, and he reportedly lost weight during the offseason. The talent he showed during his 2013 breakout debut is still there at age 25, and Puig will the Dodgers' most important player this year.

6. SS Corey Seager

SS Corey Seager Credit: Harry How Getty Images
Seager has been bothered by a left knee issue recently, but his status for Opening Day doesn't seem to be in doubt. As long as that remains the case, the No. 6 spot should be good for the early front-runner to win National League Rookie of the Year on Opening Day.

6. SS Corey Seager

Seager has been bothered by a left knee issue recently, but his status for Opening Day doesn't seem to be in doubt. As long as that remains the case, the No. 6 spot should be good for the early front-runner to win National League Rookie of the Year on Opening Day.

7. CF Joc Pederson

CF Joc Pederson Credit: Getty Images
Pederson's 2015 season featured a fast start (20 home runs before the All-Star break) and a late fade (.178 with six home runs after that) that led to reduced playing time down the stretch. Roberts has anointed Pederson as the Dodgers' center fielder, but he'll have to earn a better spot in the lineup.

7. CF Joc Pederson

Pederson's 2015 season featured a fast start (20 home runs before the All-Star break) and a late fade (.178 with six home runs after that) that led to reduced playing time down the stretch. Roberts has anointed Pederson as the Dodgers' center fielder, but he'll have to earn a better spot in the lineup.

8. C A.J. Ellis

C A.J. Ellis Credit: Getty Images
Roberts has dismissed the notion of Ellis as Clayton Kershaw's personal catcher this season, but Yasmani Grandal's ongoing right forearm issue looks likely to force the veteran catcher into the Opening Day lineup.

8. C A.J. Ellis

Roberts has dismissed the notion of Ellis as Clayton Kershaw's personal catcher this season, but Yasmani Grandal's ongoing right forearm issue looks likely to force the veteran catcher into the Opening Day lineup.

9. P Clayton Kershaw

P Clayton Kershaw Credit: Christian Petersen Getty Images
Kershaw will be the Dodgers' Opening Day starter, so he rounds out the batting order.

9. P Clayton Kershaw

Kershaw will be the Dodgers' Opening Day starter, so he rounds out the batting order.

Share On FacebookShare StumbleUpon

You May Also Like