Here is reason No. 22 the Dodgers will win the 2018 World Series:

Alex Wood

The Dodgers have desperately needed a starting pitcher to emerge outside of the greatness of Clayton Kershaw and the quiet consistency of Rich Hill. Kenta Maeda has been up-and-down during his time in the Dodgers rotation (and almost assuredly found his postseason role last season as a relief ace), and Hyun-Jin Ryu has often found himself on the disabled list.

Alex Wood delivered in a big way in 2017. The 27-year-old former Georgia Bulldog posted a 16-3 record with a 2.72 ERA and earned his first All-Star game appearance. Though his numbers dipped a bit in the second half of the season, that could be due in part to management’s decision to monitor his innings while he battled some nagging injuries.

A full season of good health for Wood in 2018 will show his 2017 first half was no fluke. One thing that will be new this season is his decision to do away with the wind up, according to Chris Thomas of MLB.com. Providing him with more consistency in his mechanics should help him stay on the mound.

One way or another, expect Alex Wood to provide the Dodgers rotation with an All-Star caliber arm, and another quality start or two in the 2018 World Series.

A little over three weeks til the San Francisco Giants come to town for Opening Day. Tune in to KHTS Radio FM 98.1 and AM 1220 throughout the 2018 season for your Dodgers coverage.

It’s been 30 years since the Dodgers last World Series triumph in 1988. In honor of the ’88 team and respect for the championship-caliber 2018 club, we present our “30 IN 30” Spring Training series: 30 reasons why the Dodgers can win the World Series in 2018. We’ll count down from No. 30 to No. 1 every day up to Opening Day against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.