Dodgers News: Opening Day Sees Los Angeles Realize Its Potential

The 2017 Dodgers season began similarly to 2016: with a blowout of the rebuilding San Diego Padres. This one was a complete team effort, proving fans a preview of the Dodgers’ capabilities.

L.A. got homers from Joc Pederson, Yasmani Grandal (twice) and Corey Seager as it cruised to a 12-2 victory over its Southern California rival. On the bright side for the Padres, this loss wasn’t as bad as last season’s 15-0 drubbing.

The game was a sign of what the Dodgers can do at full strength. Every regular, including Clayton Kershaw, got a hit. The lineup was a nightmare without any weak link. The pitching was mostly dominant. Outside Seager’s 1st inning error, it was a mostly stellar performance.

#JOCPOP pic.twitter.com/OP0TQc6esx

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 3, 2017

THE STUD GOES YARD! ?@coreyseager_5 with a 3-run ? in the bottom of the fifth! #Dodgers now lead, 12-1! #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/WFJ6WGdl0C

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 3, 2017

Kershaw didn’t have his best stuff, yet he set down 19 in a row. The Dodgers have out-scored San Diego 29-3 over the last two Opening Days, and as impressive as that is, there’s no reason to overreact. What the world saw Monday, however, was a flash at the Dodgers potential.

That potential, when realized, may make Los Angeles the best team in the sport. The Dodgers won’t play what amounts to a Triple-A roster in San Diego every day, but the good teams win the games they should. The best teams dominate the games they should.

The catch will be in how consistent the Dodgers can be. As potent as the lineup is, it’s mostly the same group that fluctuated a season ago. Logan Forsythe already appears to be a spark plug, which may be just what the team needed.

Our Brandon Knudsen analyzed Pederson this offseason, opining he’s on his way to a monster campaign. That prediction is off to a solid start after Pederson’s grand slam. We heard Grandal came to camp in the best shape of his life. There’s reason to believe he still has a ceiling not yet scratched.

And Yasiel Puig bat flipped on an intentional walk. That may have been the highlight of a day that had plenty.

What does that amount to? The most dangerous Dodgers team in the last two decades. Baseball isn’t a game won on talent alone, however, and while the strong start is ideal, what will matter is how L.A. plays heading into October.

You can’t start better than 1-0. The Dodgers will aim to double their win total Tuesday against Clayton Richard with Kenta Maeda on the hill.