Dodgers: Breaking down the 2017 Dodgers vs. 2019 Dodgers

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the fi inning at Oracle Park on September 28, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the fi inning at Oracle Park on September 28, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs the bases after his solo home run in the second inning against the San Francisco Giants during their MLB game at Oracle Park on September 27, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

Comparing the splits

One of the narratives that seems to follow the Dodgers around is that they struggle against left-handed pitching.  While that isn’t the case here is how the two clubs have fared against southpaws:

2019 – .252/.327/.454

2017 – .253/.342/.447

The slash lines against lefties are nearly identical between the two clubs.  In 2019 the Dodgers have used fewer platoons outside of Joc Pederson who should continue to sit against lefties.  Gavin Lux at second base is the only other position where a strict platoon seems to be in effect on the 2019 club.  Corey Seager has struggled against southpaws in 2019 and he was much better against them in 2017.

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The downfall of the 2017 club, outside of blown leads and Yu Darvish, was the offense failing to come through in the clutch.  Here is how the two clubs have hit with runners in scoring position during the 2017 and 2019 regular season:

2019 – .284/.372/.496

2017 – .247/.359/.430

Just as the 2019 Dodgers have been superior to the 2017 Dodgers offensively, with runners in scoring position the 2019 Dodgers have been much better.  If the 2019 club can continue to hit well with RISP then perhaps this will finally be the year that the Dodgers win their first World Series since 1988.  If they revert back to struggling in the clutch like the last two postseason runs then the results will be similar.

Next. Will Smith still clutch despite his September struggles. dark

The 2017 and 2019 Dodgers are the two best regular season teams in LA Dodger history, at least according to their win totals in the regular season.  The two clubs have similar stats on the pitching side of things but offensively the 2019 Dodgers are a more well rounded offense.  Now it’s time to see how the 2019 club fares in the postseason.