Upon returning home from their two-game split against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea, the Dodgers faced some immediate concerns. However, since those games, they have posted an impressive 8-3 record, reaffirming their status as one of the favorites for the World Series. While the season is still young, several key factors have already emerged.

The most glaring strength is the Dodgers' formidable offense. With stars like Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman—each a former MVP—the Dodgers were expected to be a powerhouse at the plate. Early in the season, they lived up to the hype, setting a franchise record by scoring five or more runs in their first ten games. Betts led the charge initially, but as his production tapered off slightly, Ohtani emerged as the league’s top hitter. This offensive firepower is anticipated to be a major asset as the Dodgers aim for a deep postseason run.

The top of the lineup has been particularly dominant, with the first four hitters combining for a .394 batting average and a staggering 1.146 OPS through the opening stretch. The potential for even greater output is high, considering that these key players haven’t all been in peak form simultaneously.

However, there are concerns at the bottom of the lineup. The addition of Will Smith has not fully resolved the inconsistencies, and the Dodgers have been uneven in their performance. Max Muncy and Kiké Hernández, despite strong starts, have struggled with strikeouts—each tied for the Major League lead with 21 strikeouts going into Tuesday’s game. James Outman, who has also been prone to strikeouts with 15 thus far, was tied for 11th place in the Majors. On a positive note, Outman hit a crucial home run in Monday’s victory, and the Dodgers hope this will mark the beginning of an upward trend for him.

Overall, while the Dodgers' offense remains a significant strength, addressing the strikeout issues and maintaining consistent production from all parts of the lineup will be key as they look to build on their early-season success.

The Dodgers' defense has shown signs of improvement, but there’s still room for growth. While the infield has garnered significant attention, it hasn’t been a major liability so far. The most glaring defensive setback came on Sunday against the Cubs, when three errors contributed to the worst loss of the season. However, the challenging weather conditions on that day likely exacerbated the issues.

Mookie Betts, who has adapted to playing shortstop, has made strides but still has moments he’d like to forget. Max Muncy has also been a mixed bag at third base, with some impressive stops and a few errors that were later overturned. He needs to continue making strides to solidify his role. Surprisingly, Gavin Lux has been the most consistent infielder this season, handling his shift from shortstop to second base without committing an error, despite initial concerns about his throwing accuracy in the spring.

As the pitching staff continues to get healthier, the Dodgers' overall defensive performance should also improve. The team’s potential will be fully realized once they address these defensive inconsistencies and refine their approach.

If the Dodgers can iron out these defensive kinks, they’ll be a nearly unstoppable force.