What the Los Angeles Dodgers lack in money, they more than make up for in talent.

With last year’s NL MVP runner-up in Matt Kemp growing into the franchise player, and the reigning Cy Young winner in the NL starting on opening day, Don Mattingly can’t be complaining. Even though the team lost former closer Jonathan Broxton and innings eater Huroki Kuroda, the Dodgers still believe the 82-79 record from last year can be repeated, at worst, and a crack at the division title is attainable at best. Kershaw and Kemp are still relatively young and their new prized possession in Dee Gordon is even younger. Gordon is the son of pitching star Tom “Flash” Gordon, who once starred as the Boston Red Sox closer in the late 90s. Dee is not like his father in the sense that he is much smaller and is a shortstop but he runs about as quick as his dad’s fastball was. As he toured throughout the minor leagues, he tore up the bases stealing base after base creating so much buzz that some predict him to steal 100 bases in a season. Still, no base stealer can be a threat without help behind him. Andre Ethier is approaching his 30’s and still has yet to show that he can be the hitter that drives in 100 runs a year. James Loney and Juan Rivera can add some help, but aren’t nearly as threatening as Kemp. The pitching isn’t spectacular, but the bullpen should be pretty solid and Kershaw will be shutting teams down every 5 days.

As far as repeating a number that’s close to winning a 100 games, well that is a different story. In 2008 and also in 2009, the Dodgers were able to reach the NLCS only to be beat both times by near sweeps. Since 2006, LA has been able to reach 80 win seasons including an 88-74 record in ’06, 82-80 in ’07, 84-78 in ’08, a huge 95-67 season in ’09 with Manny Ramirez, a sub .500 season in 2010 with an 80-82 record, and finally last year’s 82-win season. Each year, it seems like the player’s the Dodgers are counting on are nowhere to be found with the exception of Kemp and Kershaw. Ethier, Casey Blake, Loney, pitcher Chad Billingsley, and former Dodger Ramirez have all had a chance to make the difference between a loss in the NLCS and a world championship. Unfortunately, these players are mainly the reasons for the empty space in the championship case. The only thing really exciting right now going into spring for this club is the bidding war going on by all the celebrity suitors for who will be the next Dodger owner. The Dodgers team props found at Bovada is only giving L.A. an over/under of 80 ½ wins in 2012 with a -115 payout both ways. This is such a tough number considering they have been right around 80 wins for the past few seasons, but have lost some key players. If Gordon does make a big splash it can’t hurt their chances, and if Ethier would quit being afraid to hurt the ball he will be able to contribute.

Over/Under Wins For 2012 Los Angeles Dodgers – found at Bovada Sportsbook

See other team’s over/under totals in Bovada’s MLB team props.