Dodgers: Health allows Dodgers to run back to platoons

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 21: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a home run in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 21, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

When Facing a Righty

Even though facing righties usually just means letting the many slugging lefties on the Dodgers swing away, with Muncy’s return, there will be more lefties for more spots than at any point this season.

Through the first five innings of games (a proxy for the team’s stats against starting pitchers), the Dodgers have hit .262 with 104 home runs, better than their numbers against lefty pitchers. Four Dodgers, Turner, Lux, Seager, and Bellinger, are hitting over .300 in this sample (more than 15 plate appearances). Pederson and Muncy both have double-digit home runs in this situation, with 23 and 11 respectively (Bellinger has 17 and Turner 11).

Beyond this big four though comes lineup questions when you throw Muncy and Pederson into the mix. If Bellinger and Pederson join Beaty (.287 AVG with 4 home runs off righties through five innings) in the outfield, who mans the infield? Lux and Seager slot in perfectly up the middle and Turner and Muncy man the corners, pushing Pollock (.237 AVG with 4 home runs) to the bench.

Here’s how the lineup would more than likely break down.

Joc Pederson (L) RF
Max Muncy (L) 1B
Justin Turner (R) 3B
Cody Bellinger (L) CF
Corey Seager (L) SS
Will Smith (R) C
Gavin Lux (L) 2B
Matt Beaty (L) LF