Dodgers: Watch Chris Taylor’s awkward collision with Pablo Sandoval’s backside

Pablo Sandoval isn’t the best opponent to collide with on the baseball diamond.

Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Chris Taylor appears healthy after colliding with San Francisco Giants first baseman Pablo Sandoval in the fifth inning of Friday night’s contest, which allows us to have fun with the moment that quickly became a meme for 2020.

After trying to beat out a soft grounder to the third base side, Taylor ran straight into the generously-listed 268 pound Sandoval, his head directly crashing into the Kung-Fu Panda’s backside.

“Pablo is like a fire hydrant. I don’t like that matchup,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters after the game.

Sandoval has been wearing a mask to keep himself healthy on the field amid the coronavirus pandemic, but he was anything but socially distanced from Chris Taylor on the play that turned into an infield single.

You have to see it to believe it.

After a short pause in play, Taylor remained in the game. He later came through with a bases loaded RBI single in the 8th inning.

The Dodgers and Giants were playing the second game of their opening series to start the 2020 season. After beating up on their rivals on opening night, Los Angeles continued to look their dominant selves with a 9-1 victory.

The internet quickly turned the Taylor-Sandoval collision into a meme.

It’s all fun and games when nobody gets hurt.

Chris Taylor started in left field with Roberts giving Joc Pederson a rare start against a left-handed starter at the DH position. Taylor looked impressive during the team’s intra-squad games earlier in the week, earning him some early at-bats.

The Dodgers decided to option top prospect Gavin Lux to their alternate workout site to start the season, creating more opportunities for bench players such as Kiké Hernández and Taylor. Both have made the most of their added at-bats.

The Dodgers will complete their series with their natural rivals with two more games over the weekend.