Dodgers' Complete Guide, Preview for 2nd Half of 2022 MLB Season

After dealing with some ups and downs in June, the Los Angeles Dodgers are streaking once again with an 11-2 record in their last 13 games entering play on Wednesday.

Despite injuries to key players like Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Chris Taylor during the first half, they are once again perched atop the NL West standings as they hunt for a 10th straight postseason berth.

That said, there's work to be done in the coming weeks shoring up the roster for the stretch run, and after swinging a blockbuster deal for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner last summer, expectations will be high.

Ahead, we've provided a preview for the second half of the season, complete with potential X-factors, a trade deadline outlook and a blueprint for this Dodgers team to reach the postseason.

Second-Half X-Factors

Walker Buehler (Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on June 10, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

SP Walker Buehler

After finishing fourth in NL Cy Young voting last season, Buehler earned the Opening Day start for the first time in his career. He went 6-3 with a 4.02 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 65 innings over his first 12 starts before he was sidelined in mid-June with a flexor tendon strain—an injury that can often be a precursor to Tommy John surgery. He has avoided surgery for the time being, but he will be shut down for six-to-eight weeks, and he might not be ready to rejoin the active roster until September.

---

IF/DH Max Muncy

With a .161 average and a 75 OPS+ in 284 plate appearances, Muncy is off to a rough start at the plate, and rushing back from a torn UCL in his left elbow is no doubt a factor in his diminished production. The 31-year-old has posted a 136 OPS+ while averaging 40 home runs and 101 RBI per 162 games over the last four seasons, so not having him at full strength has been a big blow to the offense.

---

SP/RP Bobby Miller

The Dodgers eased Julio Urias and Walker Buehler into the big leagues as relievers when they were first promoted from the minors, and they could take a similar approach with the hard-throwing Miller this summer. The 23-year-old has a 4.12 ERA with 89 strikeouts in 67.2 innings at Double-A, and he has the electric stuff to be a major weapon in a multi-inning relief role.

Trade Deadline Outlook

Luis Castillo (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 08: Luis Castillo #58 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Great American Ball Park on July 08, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

With Walker Buehler, Dustin May and Andrew Heaney all on the injured list and Clayton Kershaw limited by various injuries the last several seasons, it makes sense that starting pitching would be atop the Dodgers' wish list.

It would also make sense to target a controllable arm with Heaney and Tyler Anderson both headed for free agency, and that likely puts Luis Castillo (CIN) and Frankie Montas (OAK) squarely in their sights. To that point, the Dodgers and Reds have already had preliminary talks on Castillo, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Contenders can always use more bullpen help, so expect the Dodgers to also kick the tires on rental guys like Daniel Bard (COL), David Robertson (CHC) and Michael Fulmer (DET) as well as controllable closer David Bednar (PIT).

Despite solid contributions from Trayce Thompson and Gavin Lux's versatility, the team could also use more outfield depth now that Chris Taylor is sidelined with a fractured foot. Veteran David Peralta (ARI) is a familiar face playing in the NL West who should come relatively cheap.

The Dodgers Make the Postseason If...

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 24: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with teammates after a 9-4 victory against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 24, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

With the San Francisco Giants playing sub-.500 baseball since the first month of the season and the San Diego Padres spinning their tires a bit of late, the Dodgers are clearly in the driver's seat in the NL West.

It's worth noting that the Dodgers and Padres still have 12 games remaining head-to-head, and it's only a matter of time before Fernando Tatis Jr. returns to give San Diego a major spark, so it's still far too soon to crown an NL West champ.

If the gap is closed in the standings, the Dodgers have an upper hand down the stretch with 14 of their final 17 games at Dodger Stadium, where they've gone 30-13 with a plus-66 run differential on the year.

Losing another key starter with Walker Buehler already sidelined would be a huge blow, but outside of that, it's hard to picture anything knocking the Dodgers off course for a 10th consecutive trip to the postseason.

---

All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and accurate through Tuesday's games.