If you remember the off-season, you know it was all about the Los Angeles Dodgers turning into baseball’s new evil empire. They were grabbing stars left and right, even though they had just won a championship. As if they were building a super-team, and many were already saying that the league should give them the 2025 trophy before spring training even started!

But then, baseball happened—or, well, injuries. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ crème de la crème arms are now not even on the roster and are sitting tight on the injured list. Evil eye? Bad luck? Well, whatever may be the case, the Dodgers are struggling to keep up. While the offense is there, they cannot do without their pitchers. And even though they wanted to go for a back-to-back World Series championship title, it seems less likely to happen. And now even insiders like Julian McWilliams from CBS share this view.

While talking on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, he was asked if he had one name to pitch who could win the World Series. McWilliams didn’t flinch and said, “I mean, I picked the Braves. I still say the Braves.” Ouch! But surprised? It’s not without reason, though.

McWilliams clarified why he thinks the Braves have a great chance at the World Series title. “I think they figure it out. I think Acuña is the jumper cables that they need, man… You have Strider coming back, doing his thing. I feel like Olson’s going to get hot. I just feel that way. I still question the Dodgers’ pitching and if they’ll ever get healthy enough. I mean, eleven—six guys that are stars—on the IL…” said McWilliams in the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast.  And well, he is not wrong. Ronald Acuna Jr.—the $100 million man—and the one the Braves were awaiting for a year, is back, and he is making a difference.

Acuna Jr. had torn his ACL, and the season after he left for IL just collapsed. This year, too, the Atlanta Braves were lifeless and on the same trajectory, with 25-27 through their first 52 games. But the moment Acuna came back, the sparks did too. He launched two home runs in three games and even sent out a warning on his social, “Welcome to Hell.” Dramatic? Yes! But then Acuna’s power is real.

Also, take Tuesday night in Philly. Sure, the Braves got shut out 2-0 in their series opener against the Phillies, but the scoreboard didn’t tell the entire story. For sure, Atlanta’s offense didn’t get going, but there was a silver lining: Spencer Strider. He is just back from injury, and looked pretty decent with seven strikeouts in just over four innings. He has gained the momentum, and with AJ Smith-Shawver lined up for the next one, there’s still hope for the Braves. Now the Dodgers are trying to tape the rotation and survive the long game. But for the Braves, they don’t have one but two stars that will come back and help gain momentum, too. Danger is looming for sure!

Ohtani’s pitching comeback is getting real, and the Los Angeles Dodgers can’t wait

There is no two-way about it—the Dodgers are in deep…deep waters with the number of players on the injured list. However, there is a little silver lining, which seems to be on the horizon, and it’s related to Shohei Ohtani. His long-awaited debut on the mound in Dodger blue may be just around the corner. And more so now that pitching staff depth is so thin, even Dave Roberts knows how crucial it is for Ohtani to return.

Roberts said, “If it kind of works out as it should, he’s a top-end starter. And that’s kind of all of our expectations.” For the Los Angeles Dodgers, this is almost a déjà vu moment. Because even last year, their playoff push was built on fumes with just three healthy starters. Fast forward to today, and the story is not much different. Out of the key arms they acquired in the two off-seasons, only Yamamoto seems to be the one holding it together. This is where Ohtani can come in and help take off the pressure and steady the ship.

However, don’t expect to see Ohtani pitching in Triple-A anytime soon. Roberts made it clear that a traditional rehab stint makes no sense for Ohtani. A guy taking five at-bats a game and hitting 410-foot home runs. Case in point—before Sunday’s game against the Mets, Ohtani threw a live bullpen for the first time in two years. He faced Hyeseong Kim and Dalton Rushing, and he touched 97 mph already!

The Dodgers do not want any shortcuts because, honestly, right now, it can end up being expensive for them. But one thing is for sure: when Shohei steps on the mound, it will be electric.