Dodgers: National League Championship Series Positional Breakdown

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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 08: Manny Machado #8, Justin Turner #10, Enrique Hernandez #14 and Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate winning Game Four of the National League Division Series with a score of 6-2 over the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Dodgers won the series 3-1. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Infield

The NLDS gave us some more insight into what Roberts thinks of his players. With Turner, Machado, Hernandez and Grandal proving to be everyday starters in the infield for Doc. First base is the only platoon situation with Freese against lefties and Muncy against right-handers.

For Milwaukee they are set on the corners and a second base with Aguilar, Moustakas and Shaw. At shortstop, Orlando Arcia has been getting the lion’s share of the starts but Hernan Perez did get a start in game 2 and mashed two ground rule doubles. At catcher the same situation applies with Kratz getting two starts and Manny Pina getting one start.

Up the middle Machado is a star and was a big part of the NLDS victory over the Braves and Hernandez has been red hot. Travis Shaw put 32 balls over the fence and had an impressive 2018. But his double play mate is underwhelming to say the least. Also Hernandez is an elite defender at second base while Shaw has played just 39 of his 527 career games at second. Advantage Dodgers.

Now to the corners. Aguilar and Muncy had an equal amount of bombs to end the regular season. Muncy did so in 12 less games and Freese has been one of the best hitters in baseball since joining the Dodgers.

Meanwhile at third the Dodgers have the red dream who is one of the best post-season hitters EVER. Moustakas has a World Series title under his belt and his experience will be huge for this young Milwaukee team. Turner is currently head and shoulders above Moustakas. While at first base it is definitely closer, but slight advantage Dodgers there because Muncy with the combo of Freese is deadly.

Behind the plate Grandal has finally claimed the starting spot after fighting off a platoon situation all year long. His lone hit in the NLDS was a homer and that pretty much sums him up. He could be an automatic out or tear the cover off the ball. It just depends on which Grandal shows up. The 38-year-old Kratz is kind of just there. He handles the staff nicely but doesn’t provide much offensively.

Infield: Advantage Dodgers

Dodgers, 1-0

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