What Is 2015 Los Angeles Dodgers season

Overview

The 2015 Los Angeles Dodgers season marked the franchise's 126th in Major League Baseball and their 58th in Los Angeles. Under manager Dave Roberts, who replaced Don Mattingly mid-season, the team secured the NL West title with a solid regular-season performance.

Despite injuries and internal challenges, the Dodgers remained competitive throughout the year, relying heavily on their pitching staff and mid-season acquisitions. Their postseason run ended in the NLDS, but the emergence of young talent signaled future promise.

• Regular-season record: The team finished 92-70, securing first place in the National League West by 1.5 games over the San Francisco Giants.
• Managerial change: Don Mattingly left after four seasons; Dave Roberts was hired as manager in November 2015, though he officially began in 2016—Mattingly managed all of 2015.
• Home runs leader:Matt Kemp led the team with 35 home runs and drove in 100 RBIs, marking a career resurgence.
• Pitching excellence: Ace Clayton Kershaw posted a 2.13 ERA in the regular season despite missing time due to injury, showcasing elite dominance.
• Playoff outcome: The Dodgers lost the NL Division Series 3-1 to the New York Mets, failing to advance to the NLCS.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 2015 campaign featured a mix of veteran leadership and emerging youth, with key moments defining the team's trajectory. Injuries to core players tested depth, but timely performances kept them atop the division.

• Yasiel Puig incident: In May, Puig was suspended for 3 games after a dugout argument with teammates, highlighting clubhouse tensions.
• Hyun-Jin Ryu’s injury: Starting pitcher Ryu missed most of the season due to a shoulder issue, limiting his appearances to just 15 games.
• Corey Seager debut: Rookie shortstop Corey Seager debuted in September and hit .337 with 4 home runs in 27 games, earning Rookie of the Year consideration.
• Trade deadline move: The Dodgers acquired Howie Kendrick from the Angels in December 2014, but he played a key role in 2015 with a .287 batting average.
• Andrew Cashner trade: Though not in 2015, the trade of Joe Wieland for Cashner in 2014 impacted pitching depth seen during the 2015 season.
• Playoff pitching: Kershaw pitched 23 innings in the postseason with a 2.13 ERA, but received minimal run support in NLDS losses.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2015 Dodgers compare to recent seasons in key statistical categories:

The 2015 season mirrored the team's recent pattern: strong regular-season performance followed by early playoff exits. While the team ERA of 3.44 ranked among the best in the league, offensive inconsistency in October proved costly. The emergence of Corey Seager and continued dominance by Kershaw provided optimism for future contention.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was a transitional year that highlighted both resilience and the need for organizational evolution. Though the postseason result was disappointing, the foundation was laid for deeper playoff runs in the coming years.

• Leadership shift: The end of the Mattingly era paved the way for Dave Roberts, who would later lead the team to a World Series in 2020.
• Youth integration: Corey Seager’s debut signaled a shift toward younger, homegrown talent, reducing reliance on expensive free agents.
• Clayton Kershaw’s legacy: Despite playoff losses, Kershaw’s 2.13 ERA reinforced his status as one of the premier pitchers of his generation.
• Front office strategy: The team’s reliance on pitching depth influenced future trades and international signings, including investments in Japanese pitchers.
• Clubhouse dynamics: Incidents involving Puig and others prompted management to focus more on team chemistry in subsequent seasons.
• Market presence: The Dodgers led MLB in attendance in 2015 with 3.7 million fans, reflecting enduring fan support despite playoff outcomes.

The 2015 Los Angeles Dodgers season stands as a pivotal chapter—competitive on the field, turbulent at times off it, but ultimately instrumental in shaping the franchise’s modern era of sustained excellence.