Dodgers could win the arms race

With Clayton Kershaw at the top of the rotation, the Dodgers may have a winning rotation in 2017.

Let's look at the early returns:

Brandon McCarthy has come out of the gates strong. He is 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA. Kershaw is 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA.

Hyun Jin-Ryu, shelved for the past two seasons due to injury, holds an 0-4 collar and a 4.64 ERA. However, Ryu appeared to be returning to form in his last outing, going six innings and holding the Giants to one run on five hits and striking out three. If he keeps this up, he will stay in the rotation.

Jose Urias arrived from Oklahoma City this week and held the Giants to one run on four hits through 5.2 innings, striking out four but also walking four. A bad pick-off throw led to a run and got him chased but the second-year hurler out of Mexico could be a big factor for the Dodgers this year.

Kenta Maeda, a stalwart in 2016, is struggling in 2017. He is 1-2 with a bloated 8.05 ERA and has given up seven dingers. If Maeda can't pull it together he may lose his spot in the rotation.

Rich Hill went on the DL with his chronic blister issue after going 1-1 in his first two starts. The Dodgers need a healthy Hill to make a playoff run. There must be something they can do to toughen up those fingers.

If Maeda and Hill are not up to par, look to Alex Wood to join Kershaw, Urias, McCarthy and Ryu in the rotation. Wood started against the Giants on April 26 and tossed one-hit, shut out ball over six innings, striking out five.

Health always being the wildcard, the Dodgers figure to win the arms race in 2017.

Dodgers a little slow out of the gate

Going into tonight's game at San Francisco, the Dodgers were 10-11 and four games behind the Rockies and the Diamondbacks in the National League West.

Not something to worry too much about, but all who root for the Blue would have liked to see a stronger start.

Twenty-one games in, here's some initial impressions:

• Clayton Kershaw deserves to get a ring. Much like when I lived in Miami and rooted for Dan Marino you have to hope an athlete that good gets to taste the champagne before he is through.
• Corey Seager, last year's NL Rookie of the Year, does not appear to believe in the idea of a sophomore jinx. He is raking.
• Justin Turner is aging like a fine wine. He also plays a mean third base, where I played in Little League in Bell Gardens, California a lifetime ago.
• Yasiel Puig is growing up, and that's a good thing. As he matures as a man and a ball player he is turning into a solid bat and extraordinary fielder. Look for him to have a bust out season.
• Logan Forsyth at second looks to be a good addition via trade and Franklin Gutierrez should help in the right-handed hitting deficiency, as soon as they both get off the DL.
• Hyu Jin-Ryu, despite an awful record, looks like he could return to the form that saw him win 14 games two years ago.
• Brandon McCarthy is starting strong but Kenta Maeda is struggling. Jose Urias will start this week and may not go back to Oklahoma City for a while.

It will be interesting to see if the young bucks in Colorado and Arizona can keep this up. I think the Dodgers will run them down by the All Star break. But then again, I am an optimist.