Dodgers outlook: Edman's rise, Kopech's success and Outman's problems

The Dodgers remain atop the NL West despite a challenging 2024 season riddled with injuries. This narrative highlights two players who are poised for extended roles in 2025 – Tommy Edman and Michael Kopech – and one, James Outman, who is expected to play limited time. Edman has rebounded with an .809 OPS and impressive performance against breaking balls, while Kopech excelled in the bullpen with a 0.95 ERA. On the contrary, Outman's recent decline and poor metrics raise concerns about his future contribution to the team.

In numbers

• Tommy Edman has an OPS of .809 in 26 games with the Dodgers, his highest since 2019.
• Michael Kopech has an ERA of 0.95 and four saves in 19 appearances since joining the Dodgers.

Yes but

While Edman and Kopech have shown great potential, the team must consider the long-term health and performance of their roster. Edman's past struggles and Kopech's shaky past raise questions about consistency in the future, and the team's reliance on them must be weighed with caution.

Current status

• Despite injury problems, the Dodgers currently lead the NL West.
• Several players, especially Edman and Kopech, have improved their performance and contributed positively to the team's success.

What's next

The Dodgers will need to refine their lineup strategy as they approach the postseason. Continually evaluating the roles of Edman and Kopech will be critical to optimizing performance, while the team will need to decide on Outman's future based on his current development.

Conclusion

The Dodgers must capitalize on Edman and Kopech's resurgence while reevaluating Outman's position on the team. Maintaining a balance between emerging talent and the reliability of veteran players is critical to their postseason success.