Dodgers: Three key stars lackluster in NLDS defeat

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 09: Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers drops the ball next to Kike Hernandez #14 on a Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals double in the fourth inning of game five of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Corey Seager’s Rough Postseason

Seager’s season went up and down more than my emotions during the NLDS. He had hot stretches in the first half and second half, and yet he didn’t reach the .280 mark in either half. He had a nice little stretch of batting average over his 10 games played in June (he hit .425), but lacked power.

His best action came in September, and yet none of that mojo carried into postseason play. He didn’t make an error at shortstop all month, and he hit .291 with 7 home runs, reminding fans of his 2016 Rookie of the Year campaign.

But all year, Seager battled injuries and the consequent inconsistencies those injuries bred. Even though he hit 44 doubles, which is right around where he should be, as are the 19 home runs, his batting average needs to be much closer to .300 than to .270.

In the NLDS though, the lanky shortstop went 0-8 with runners in scoring position on his way to a .150 AVG in general. He also made an error that made Buehler do a little extra labor that may have contributed to his needing to be pulled out of the game before completing seven innings.

I think having another full season under his belt will help him continue to make more in-season adjustments and become a more consistent source of hits. But none of that manifested this NLDS.

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