Dodgers Nats Position-by-Position Breakdown

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September 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) hits a double in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Catcher: Yasmani Grandal vs Jose Lobaton/Pedro Severino/Jhonatan Solano

The first health advantage for the Dodgers comes behind the plate. Only five catchers posted a higher WAR than Grandal, and only two catchers with >450 plate appearances posted a higher wRC+ (that’s a rate stat, so I had to use a minimum). Jonathan Lucroy was one of the catchers that did both, and Wilson Ramos was the other.

Ramos had a career year with an upcoming free agency and was set to cash in on a monster season offensively. However, Ramos tore his ACL during the final week of the season and will miss quite a bit of time. This likely forces Lobaton into the lineup. Lobaton isn’t the worst backup catcher in the world, but the drop-off from Ramos is pretty sizeable. Matched up against one of the best offensive catchers in baseball (and the second-best pitch framer), it’s an easy call.

Lobaton is also potentially injured. Severino crushed the ball during his limited plate appearances and is supposed to be one of the best defensive catchers in the minors. Solano isn’t on the 40-man roster and has had 20 major league at bats since 2013.

Advantage: Dodgers

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