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Dodgers: Five Positive Takeaways from the First Two Weeks of the Season

By Cesar Becerra

Apr 17, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Enrique Hernandez (14) is congratulated by manager Dave Roberts (center) and bench coach Bob Geren (right) for hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Enrique Hernandez (14) is congratulated by manager Dave Roberts (center) and bench coach Bob Geren (right) for hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 5, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) is interviewed by Spectrum SportsNet LA broadcaster Alanna Rizzo after a MLB baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers defeated the Padres 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Justin Turner is hitting Left-Handed Pitching

Last season Turner had an abysmal slash rate of .209/.303/.337 against lefties. As our best right-handed bat in the lineup, he was a big reason why we struggled against left-handed pitching last season.

Well, early this season Turner looks like he’s figured out southpaws. In 30 plate appearances against lefties, Turner has a .320/.433/.480 slash rate. The extra base hits aren’t where we’d like them to be, yet. But for now, we’ll take the improvement in hits and quality at-bats.

Oddly enough Turner has had more plate appearances this season against left-handers than right-handers. I say oddly enough because if you consider that 80% of the MLB pitchers are right-handed, it’s crazy to see how the Dodgers have faced so many lefties. But the improvement from Turner was expected.

Last season Turner’s lack of production against lefties was an outlier. I knew he was in store for positive regression and so far early in the stages, it looks to be happening. The MLB is following the Dodgers’ lefty narrative trend, and teams are adjusting their rotation so that the Dodgers face more left-handers. Turner is perhaps the most important player on this roster that could help change that narrative.

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