What It Means:

“I like making myself uncomfortable and throwing different stuff my way and trying to find a solution for it," Bauer told reporters after the game. "I think that's how you improve.” Entering his first season in Los Angeles, Bauer has a lot to prove to live up to his $40 million-plus contract. Expect the 30-year-old to slot into the No. 3 spot in the Dodgers rotation.

Our models project Bauer for 236 strikeouts and 67 walks with a 3.75 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 202 innings pitched this season.