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The Dodgers appear to have gotten back on track in the last week, but they still need to sort out a few positions. Second base is one of those, and it’s time to bench Forsythe against right-handers.
The Dodgers have two weeks left to figure out their everyday lineup for the postseason but one thing is becoming clear, and that is it’s time to bench Logan Forsythe when there is a right-handed pitcher on the mound.
Forsythe is only hitting .191 with a .578 OPS against right-handers this season, and in September, he is only hitting .194 overall. The one thing Forsythe has done well offensively is get on base, but even that has dipped in September as he has an OBP under .300 this month.
Austin Barnes is arguably one of the best hitters against righties on the team, but the Dodgers don’t appear willing to use him at second base as an everyday starter.
That means the next best option for second base is the “Silver Fox,” AKA Chase Utley. Utley is only hitting .208 in September, but overall in the second half of the season, he has been a better hitter with a .327 OBP and .760 OPS. Against right-handers the entire season, Utley has a .240/.327/.407 line, but this would be better if he didn’t go through that miserable slump he went through at the beginning of the season.
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Forsythe continues to mash left-handed pitching so he can start then, but it is evident by now that Dave Roberts should bench Forsythe permanently versus right-handers.
When it comes to defense both Forsythe and Utley are sure-handed, so there wouldn’t be a drop-off. Forsythe has 4 DRS compared to Utley who has 2 DRS, but that is not a big drop off at all. Utley, like Forsythe, has a lot of range has made several stellar plays this season.
The one area where Chase Utley is clearly better than Forsythe is in the power department. Utley has eight home runs compared to five from Forsythe despite getting over 40 fewer at-bats.
Utley’s home run on Wednesday against the Giants seemed to be the spark that the Dodgers’ offense needed, and he is capable of hitting a big home run at any point, even in the playoffs, which the Dodgers have seen first hand on the opposite side.
Chase Utley has a strong playoff resume with him and no moment in October will be too big for him. He has won a title with the Phillies and has been through it all.
Utley always seems to do the little things right which can make a big difference in October whether it’s moving a runner over, taking the extra base, or making a nifty play on defense. The Dodgers could use the calm, cool demeanor of Utley in the playoffs, especially given the recent failures they’ve experienced.
The case could even be made that with Utley starting against right-handers, Forsythe would have more value to the Dodgers coming off the bench. The potential playoff bench figures to have many hitters who can hit right-handers like Adrian Gonzalez, Andre Ethier and Curtis Granderson, but all of them are not viable pinch-hit options against left-handed hitters.
The Dodgers do have Barnes, but Dave Roberts has to be careful using him especially if he ends up being the only backup catcher. Having Forsythe to pinch hit off the bench against a tough left-handed reliever could make a big difference since every at-bat is magnified in the playoffs.
The time has come to start Chase Utley at second base every day against right-handed starting pitchers. The Dodgers can’t continue to throw Forsythe out there as it hasn’t worked all season so it’d be wise to throw that strategy out the window.
Starting Utley would give the Dodgers the better hitter in the lineup, and a very savvy veteran who will not crumble from the pressure of the postseason.
Next: Should Ryu be the third playoff starter?
Whether the Dodgers finally realize this remains to be seen, but it’s time for Dave Roberts to finalize his starting lineups with the regular season coming to an end in two weeks.