Betts at SS lets Peralta, Heyward shine — as they did vs. Phils
LOS ANGELES — When the Dodgers trotted Mookie Betts out at shortstop final week, it was principally a transfer made out of necessity. Chris Taylor was banged up and Miguel Rojas had simply landed on the injured listing.
Since then, nevertheless, Taylor has been totally wholesome, and Rojas returned from the 10-day injured listing on Monday. Despite this, the Dodgers determined to begin Betts at shortstop as a result of it provides the offense the next ceiling, notably in opposition to right-handed pitching.
This was evident once more because the Dodgers’ offense continued to thrive with Betts manning that infield spot in Monday’s 13-4 win over the Phillies at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers moved to 4-0 when Betts begins at shortstop, scoring 35 runs in these video games.
“I think we already knew who we were, it was just a matter of putting it all into action,” Betts mentioned. “We’ve had some guys hitting and some guys not. Fortunately, we were able to put it all together tonight.”
The Dodgers undoubtedly put all of it collectively on Monday in opposition to Taijuan Walker and the Phillies’ bullpen. All 9 Dodgers starters reached base safely at the least as soon as, with eight of the 9 reaching base twice. The 15 hits had been a season excessive and the 13 runs matched the excessive mark up to now this season.
The victory secured the Dodgers’ first four-game successful streak of the season, as nicely.
“It was a complete contribution from everyone, from one through nine. It was fun to watch,” mentioned Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts. “Guys taking walks, Mookie homered late. Some balls that found some outfield grass. Just collectively, really good.”
With Rojas, Taylor and Betts all wholesome, Roberts acknowledged that the beginning shortstop will rotate every day. Taylor has been stable defensively and regardless of his season-long offensive struggles, he provides the Dodgers an alternative choice and has hit for energy in opposition to left-handed pitching.
Rojas, alternatively, hasn’t been productive on the plate this season however remains to be the most effective defender on the place on the roster. But given Rojas’ gentle tissue accidents to begin the season, the Dodgers shall be cautious with the 34-year-old’s workload.
That opens the door for Betts — who went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and three RBIs on Monday — to get extra begins at shortstop, serving to the Dodgers get their trio of left-handed-hitting outfielders within the lineup in opposition to righties.
“It’s going to be interesting how it plays out,” Roberts mentioned earlier than the sport. “Mookie has certainly gained my trust. He enjoys it. He’s good at it.”
Two of these left-hitting outfielders made their presence felt on Monday.
Jason Heyward has been a principally nice shock for the Dodgers to begin the season. The veteran outfielder, who revamped his swing over the offseason, hit his fourth homer of the 12 months in opposition to the Phillies.
“I appreciate the opportunity,” Heyward mentioned. “Plenty of veterans, a whole lot of guys that may get the job achieved on the day by day. So it’s good to have the chance to be in there and compete and assist the staff.”
David Peralta, who’s had a troublesome begin to his season, provides the Dodgers a plus defender within the outfield. On Monday, Peralta hit one of many 4 Dodgers homers, a three-run shot within the second inning off Walker. Peralta reached base safely thrice in opposition to Philadelphia.
Then there’s James Outman, who finds himself in the course of his first stoop on the large league degree, placing out 14 occasions over his final six video games (together with three extra occasions on Monday). During that stoop, nevertheless, Outman has nonetheless been capable of get on base and take aggressive at-bats, in addition to play a stable heart area.
If Betts begins in proper area in opposition to a right-handed pitcher, one of many trio of Heyward, Outman and Peralta must begin the sport on the bench. That would require Rojas or Taylor to begin, giving the Dodgers much less manufacturing offensively.
“That’s kind of the genesis behind even being open to the idea of having Mookie play short,” Roberts mentioned. “It opens up another left-handed bat. And also it’s certainly helpful that Mookie enjoys it.”
Moving Betts, a six-time Gold Glove Award winner, out of proper area isn’t a simple choice for the Dodgers. In truth, when the concept was floated round initially, there was some comprehensible skepticism. But with the best way the roster is at the moment constructed, the Dodgers are contemplating having Betts play extra shortstop in opposition to righties. It’s definitely a transfer he would welcome with open arms.
“He looks at the opportunity, the challenge,” Roberts mentioned. “And offensively thus far, when he’s played short, he’s performed.”
