Dodgers: Health allows Dodgers to run back to platoons

When Facing a Lefty…

Against lefties, the Dodgers have some talented right-handed hitters who thrive against lefties a great deal more than they do against righties. While this is useful late in games through pinch-hitting appearances, it is best to utilize these players as much as possible versus lefties, especially considering some of the team’s deficiencies against southpaws.

As a team this season, the Dodgers are hitting .254 against lefties (17th in baseball), though much of that has to do with the team’s injuries to the platoon hitters most adept at mashing lefties. David Freese and Kiké Hernandez both have spent extended stays on the IL this season, but both are healthy for the playoffs, as has the team’s best lefty killer A.J. Pollock (.341 with five home runs).

In the coming weeks, expect that trio to be in almost every lineup that faces lefties, along with Turner and Cody Bellinger, who both are more than likely immune to platoons, as they’ve actually performed similarly to assumed lefty-killers Hernandez and Freese this season.

On the opposite side of the spectrum are rookies Lux and Beaty. Unlike Alex Verdugo, who likely will be out for the next few weeks, these two rookies should be active for the rest of the regular season at least, but neither have hit lefties well in their MLB stints. Lux has five plate appearances against them, with the lone hit in those appearances being a home run. Beaty has four hits and a walk in 34 plate appearances (.125 AVG).

Here’s one version of the main lineup that will likely face lefties for the Dodgers, based on past lineups and currently healthy players.

A.J. Pollock (R) LF
David Freese (R) 1B
Justin Turner (R) 3B
Cody Bellinger (L) CF
Max Muncy (L) 2B
Corey Seager (L) SS
Will Smith (R) C
Enrique Hernandez (R) RF

Note: If Lux plays second some nights to ease Muncy back into the field, Hernandez should swap with Muncy’s spot in the order, making Lux the eighth hitter and Hernandez the fifth hitter.