Dodgers: Who Will be the Unlikely World Series Hero?

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 22: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws during workouts ahead of the 2018 World Series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on October 22, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 22: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws during workouts ahead of the 2018 World Series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on October 22, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 17: Austin Barnes #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a RBI single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning in Game Five of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Austin Barnes

The 2018 season has been quite the turn of events for Austin Barnes.  After taking over last postseason as the Dodgers primary catcher, Barnes struggled this season and was relegated to the role of being Yasmani Grandal’s backup catcher.  Barnes was unable to replicate his success from last season as he hit just .205 this season.

After Grandal struggled offensively and defensively the first two series, Barnes has once again become the Dodgers every day catcher.  With Chris Sale and David Price starting the first two games of the World Series, Barnes is going to start the majority of the World Series.  Austin Barnes has struggled at the plate this postseason hitting just .111, but he did deliver a big RBI single in the NLCS.

While the Dodgers will be happy with Barnes just being able to be a rock defensively behind the plate, Barnes is bound to come up to the plate in at least a few big situations.  With the Dodgers loaded lineup a Red Sox pitcher could lose focus against Barnes and Austin will have a chance to make them pay.  Barnes is the number one candidate to be the Dodgers’ unlikely World Series hero since he will not be lacking opportunity.