SEOUL -- From the moment the Dodgers went on a $1 billion spending spree this winter, they knew the target was going to be squarely on their back. Every time they step out onto the field in 2024, the opposing team will be giving their "A" effort in order to beat baseball’s version of a Super Team. 

• Everything you need to know about the Seoul Series

In many ways, it’s going to be one of the most anticipated seasons in Dodgers franchise history -- and perhaps even the history of the sport. It’s certainly one of the greatest collections of talent, led by superstars Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman atop the lineup. 

When the Dodgers got to Seoul on Friday, they got a good sense of the fanfare that will follow them throughout the season. They also understand the pressure that comes with it all. It’s World Series or bust for the Dodgers. Falling short of that goal will be widely considered a failed season.

“It’s just an exciting time for the Dodgers,” Freeman said. “So yes, it’s not winning the offseason. We’ve got to go out there and play, and we know that.” 

It’ll all get started at 3:05 a.m. PT on Wednesday against the Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. 

What needs to go right? Starting pitchers have to stay healthy
Last season, the Dodgers’ starting pitching struggles are what ultimately sent them home early in the National League Division Series against the D-backs. Having an injured Clayton Kershaw, a rookie Bobby Miller and an uninspiring Lance Lynn to end the season in the rotation did not help the team accomplish its ultimate goal.

In order to avoid that happening again this season, Los Angeles went out and made two splashes, trading for Tyler Glasnow and signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a record 12-year, $325 million deal. Glasnow has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career and he has not pitched more than 120 innings in a season, though the right-hander feels confident that he’ll hold up for an entire season in 2024. As for Yamamoto, keeping him sharp and getting him to adjust to a Major League schedule will be key this season. 

Betts, Ohtani, Freeman and the rest of the lineup will draw the most attention because of the starpower, but getting much better production out of their starters will be the key to the Dodgers’ season. 

Great unknown(s): Yamamoto’s rookie season, team defense 
Yamamoto has all the tools to be one of the best pitchers in the Majors, and his record contract suggests many scouts and organizations around the league feel the same way. But in the end, there’s no way to predict just how successful he’ll be in his first season in the Majors. 

The 25-year-old Japanese phenom had a rough Spring Training, posting an 8.38 ERA over three starts, though he did strike out 14 in 9 2/3 innings. But Los Angeles is confident that Yamamoto will have more success once the season rolls around.

As for the defense, the Dodgers’ infield will be the center of attention, especially early in the season. Betts is the everyday shortstop for the first time in his career after Gavin Lux had throwing woes this spring, forcing the club to move him back to second base. Max Muncy’s defense at third base was a weakness last season, but the veteran came into camp in better shape and was solid defensively this spring.

Team MVP will be … Mookie Betts
Betts was the best player on the team in 2023, finishing second in NL MVP Award voting, and he has a chance to do it all over again, this time as the team’s starting shortstop. 

Team Cy Young will be … Tyler Glasnow
Glasnow hasn’t been able to stay healthy for an entire season, but if he does in 2024, he has all the tools to make a serious run at his first Cy Young Award. Glasnow will be the Dodgers’ Opening Day starter on Wednesday, and he will continue to be the staff ace as the games get more meaningful. 

Bold prediction: Dodgers will set a franchise record in wins
Los Angeles set a club record with 111 wins in 2022. With the talent on this year’s team and the overall depth, the Dodgers will have a realistic chance at eclipsing that total in ‘24. If they want to aim even higher, they can try to set the all-time record with 117 wins. 

But nothing else will matter for the Dodgers unless they win the World Series.

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