Dodgers Quick Hits: Resting Justin Turner Yesterday was the Right Move

The Dodgers dropped to 0-5 on the season against the Reds yesterday.  This time it was a close fought 3-1 loss that put another dent in the Dodgers’ playoff hopes.

The Dodgers offense was futile again yesterday as they managed to score just one run.  They also struck out nine times against Luis Castillo as they made the young right-hander look like the second coming of Pedro Martinez.  One move that was highly criticized by Dodger fans was the decision to rest Justin Turner with under twenty games left in the season.

Despite being the Dodgers’ hottest hitter since his return from the DL, it made all the sense in the world to rest Justin Turner yesterday.  For one, the Dodgers have an early day game today following their night game last night.  Second, the Dodgers have seven big games coming up against teams they are directly chasing in their playoff hunt in the Cardinals and Rockies.

The Rockies lead the NL West, and the Cardinals are three games ahead of the Dodgers in the wildcard hunt.  The Dodgers next off day is a week from tomorrow and then they have another off day the following Thursday.  With Turner getting last night off, he can now play for a week straight and then get a scheduled off day.  The Dodgers even got Turner up with the bases loaded yesterday but unfortunately he couldn’t come through.

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Justin Turner is no spring chicken as he approaches age thirty-four this offseason.  He also has had a few knee surgeries and has chronic knee ailments.  That is on top of the wrist fracture he suffered this season and his hamstring injury.  If the Dodgers want the healthy hot hitting version of Turner, they needed to give him a breather down the stretch.  Resting JT yesterday was the right move.

Other news…

• The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes took a 1-0 series lead last night by beating the Visalia Rawhide 5-4.  Jared Walker hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning to put the Quakes up for good.  Yimi Garcia pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the Quakes and Nick Yarnall hit a three-run jack.
•   The Tulsa Drillers also took a 1-0 lead in their playoff series with the San Antonio Missions with a 3-2 walk-off victory.  Top catching prospect Keibert Ruiz hit a walk-off single and finished the game 1-4.  Tony Gonsolin started the game for the Drillers and pitched six innings allowing just one earned run.

• As Julio Urias waits for his 2018 debut, today figures to be a good bet with Ross Stripling scheduled to go only three innings at most.  With no off day for another week, the Dodgers need to be smart with their reliever usage so they don’t burn anyone out.  Even with an expanded roster, it makes bullpen usage that much more important.