After losing the 2017 World Series in heartbreaking fashion at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers were determined to reach the pinnacle the following year. Despite a record-setting season and playing to a Game 7, the Dodgers assured there wouldn’t be any hangover in 2018.
They nevertheless were slow out of the gate last year. Easing Kenley Jansen through Spring Training backfired, Corey Seager was lost by the end of April to season-ending Tommy John surgery, and Justin Turner was recovering from a fractured left wrist.
The Dodgers dropped to 16-26 by the middle of May, which tied for the worst start in franchise history.