Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have their sights set on reaching the World Series this year thanks to a roster full of experienced veterans and All-Star-caliber talent at nearly every position. Veteran teams with championship aspirations don’t normally rely heavily on minor league talent—the 2013 St. Louis Cardinals notwithstanding—and Los Angeles is no different in that regard.

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is set to make what could be his final rehab start on Wednesday as he inches closer to a return from an upper back injury that has kept him out of action since being scratched from his second start of the season on March 30. 

“It’s time for Dodger baseball!”

A month into what could very well be Vin Scully’s final season uttering those famed words, most of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ contingent isn’t able to hear them spoken.

On paper, the Dodgers have too many good problems. Too many good outfielders, too many All-Star closers, and, for the first time in many years, a well-stocked farm system. So barring a rash of injuries, the Dodgers shouldn't have the need to make any major trades this season. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a few low-key acquisitions this past offseason following two years of high-profile roster building. Just two weeks into the new season, some of those players are already playing major roles for the Dodgers.

Dan Haren has been a pleasant surprise at the back of the rotation, and Chris Perez has made a seamless transition to a setup role.

The rivalry between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers is the "new kid on the block" among some of the more notable ones in baseball. But it sure has picked up steam in a hurry over the past few years.

Off to a 4-1 start, the Detroit Tigers should feel a sense of urgency this season after the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals proved in 2013 that they were quickly closing the gap in the AL Central.

Are you familiar with the popular baseball phrase "small sample size?" Well, that's what we're dealing with here. I won't sugarcoat it. One week and eight games of baseball is not nearly enough to measure who is "slumping" or "surging."

But every game truly does count, so the quicker the Dodgers who are struggling can snap out of it, the sooner they can distance themselves from the rest of the NL West.

The news of the day in Dodgers Land was shaping up to be Matt Kemp's activation from the disabled list for the team's home opener against the division rival San Francisco Giants.

It didn't take long for Yasiel Puig to overshadow that news, though. In fact, he made it completely irrelevant.

Los Angeles Dodgers star center fielder Matt Kemp is back in the lineup for Friday's home opener against the San Francisco Giants after recovering from a potentially career-threatening left ankle injury.