Dodgers Way
FanSided

Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Justin Turner Red Hot in August

By Michael Wittman

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 26: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two-rbi double to left field during the fifth inning of the MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Padres 7-3. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 26: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two-rbi double to left field during the fifth inning of the MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Padres 7-3. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Dodgers have struggled offensively in the month of August but one player who has not struggled this month is the red-hot Justin Turner.

The Dodgers offensive struggles in August have been well documented but the one player who has not had any trouble hitting this month is Justin Turner.  Turner continued his red-hot August on Sunday as he went 3-5 with five RBI’s.

Turner played a big factor in the Dodgers’ sweep of the Padres as he had the game-winning hit on Saturday and then knocked in five runs on Sunday.  Turner is now hitting .405 in August with five home runs and nineteen RBI’s.

Dave Roberts seems to have settled in with batting Justin Turner second and Manny Machado third and the results have been great so far. As the number two hitter in the order, Turner is hitting .356 with a 1.079 OPS compared to a .790 OPS hitting third.

Whether the difference is that Justin Turner is now fully recovered from his wrist injury, or that he is benefiting from batting in front of Manny Machado, the results are clear that Turner should be the number two hitter in the order and hit in front of Machado.

Other news…

More from LA Dodgers News

  • Dave Roberts said that Kenley Jansen will be available to pitch for the Dodgers on Tuesday after holding him out of Sunday’s game.  Jansen has been struggling badly since his return from the DL but the Dodgers need him to fight through his issues if they want any chance of winning the NL West.
  • Pedro Baez has been working his way back into the Dodgers’ bullpen picture as he has thrown 6 2/3 hitless innings in a row.  Baez entered Sunday’s game with the Dodgers up two and in a bit of jam but he got the Dodgers out of trouble after making just one pitch.
  • Alex Verdugo went 3-4 for the OKC Dodgers yesterday and is now hitting .335 this season as he waits for September call-ups to begin.  Verdugo has done everything he can to force the Dodgers hand but he will not get another opportunity in LA until rosters expand.

Next. Three reasons the Dodgers can win the West. dark

  • Manny Machado delivered arguably his biggest hit as a Dodger on Sunday when his two-run home run gave the Dodgers a 4-2 lead that they would never relinquish.  Most of Machado’s home runs as a Dodger have been of the solo variety but Sunday’s homer gave the Dodgers the lead and was much needed.
Home/LA Dodgers News