Dodgers With Most to Prove Down the Stretch

When you are on pace for 115 wins or so, there’s not much, if anything, going wrong for you. However, as hot and productive as most of the Dodgers are, there are still some players fighting for a playoff spot.

The playoffs are still about seven weeks away, but you can never start having auditions early at this point. The Dodgers are stacked so tough decisions are going to have to be made when it comes to roster cuts come October.

Michael Wittman recently explained why the Dodgers wouldn’t lose steam even if they clinch earlier than usual. One of the biggest reasons was performing to earn a playoff spot.

Players such as Corey Seager, Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, Yu Darvish, Kenley Jansen and Yasmani Grandal are all virtual locks for the postseason roster, barring something crazy.

However, others are still trying to prove that they can be valuable to LA.

Honorable Mention: Adrian Gonzalez and Andre Ethier

It’s tough to put injured players on the list because…..well they’re injured. But both are expected back before the season ends. Andre Ethier is supposed to begin his rehab soon and is scheduled to come off the DL September 1st.

Last year he returned in September (after missing the first five months) and earned a bench spot for the playoffs. Will he do the same again?

And speaking of rehab, Agon has already started his. Kevin Shacter thinks Gonzo has a big hit, or two, left in his bat so he could make for a valuable pinch-hitter in the playoffs.

But this is all speculation because they have to prove they are first healthy enough to play, which is hard to guarantee.

Left-Handed Relievers

If there is a weakness on this team, it’s the lack of reliable left-handed relievers in the bullpen. Luis Avilan, Grant Dayton (if and when he comes back from injury), Tony Watson and Tony Cingrani have much to prove.

They have all looked shaky this season and have ERAs that aren’t pretty, save for Avilan. Dayton owns a 4.94 ERA, Watson a 3.66 ERA and Cingrani’s is 5.88 (yikes). Avilan has a 3.09 ERA but has had multiple shaky outings.

As a Dodger, Watson has pitched three innings and has already allowed three runs. On Wednesday, he faced Jake Lamb with the bases-loaded but surrendered the go-ahead grand slam. This is the type of matchup he was brought in for.

However, Watson has a good track record and should be given the benefit of the doubt for now. Give him some time to settle in. Also remember, relievers have virtually no margin for error so one bad outing can ruin their numbers for a long time.

The Dodgers are going to face the likes of Jake Lamb, Anthony Rizzo, Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy in October, so they need at least one of these guys to be reliable. Thus, one of these pitchers needs to prove he can be a go-to guy for Dave Roberts because not all four of them will make it.

Logan Forsythe

Forsythe is an interesting player. His .240 batting average is low, and his power has all but disappeared. However, he puts in professional at-bats every time by working the count better than anybody in the league, walks a lot (OPB of .368), is good on defense and is a steady veteran presence.

He has had his hot streaks no doubt but offensively has been lackluster for the most part. However, we know how much this front office values on-base percentage, defense and tough at-bats, so Forsythe will probably make it as Chase Utley’s second base platoon partner.

However, if he takes a deep dive statistically, it may be time to reconsider his spot regardless of competition. But, if he takes a dive and someone like Gonzalez or Ethier come back healthy and have a good end to the season, Forsythe may be on the outside looking in.

But at the same time, once nerves start growing, a veteran presence is never a sore sight. And his ability to get on base so consistently may be too hard to overlook.

So as of right now, Logan Forsythe seems to have a safe spot on the roster, but it is far from guaranteed.