Dodgers: Health allows Dodgers to run back to platoons

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at bat against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

Who is Affected Most?

All of the right-handed hitters on the Dodgers outside of Will Smith and Justin Turner will struggle to find consistent ABs against righty starters. Pollock, Taylor, and Hernandez have combined to hit just 11 home runs off of righty starters through five innings this season and only Taylor is hitting over .240 against them (CT3 is at .267 but with just one home run).

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Defensively, they are some of the team’s strongest and most versatile fielders, so during the playoffs, they may be used as defensive substitutions with good bats as pinch hitters who may force opposing managers to move away from their strong left-handed relievers in order to get these guys out in big spots.

For the left-handed hitters, namely Lux, Beaty, and Pederson, they may struggle to find ABs. Unlike Alex Verdugo, who actually hits .280 off of lefties, they have no place in a lineup against a left-handed starter, though with time Lux could be able to.

For now, Roberts will have the luxury (or the chore) of setting up lineups based almost entirely on handedness thanks to wide splits unable to be bridged by solid defense or small ball.

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While Turner has not made his way back into the starting lineup just yet, once he does that may spell the end of their chances of making the potential playoff roster for hitters like Taylor and Hernandez or more likely Lux, but only time will tell.