The Dodgers are going to the playoffs. One of the questions that needs to be answered between now and then, is who will bat fifth behind Cody Bellinger? Teams are not going to let him beat them, and it is a lot to ask of a rookie to deal with playoff pressure and an expanded strike zone, with little protection behind him in the lineup.
Friday was the first night that the 2-3-4 hitters of Seager/Turner/Bellinger were in the starting lineup together since August 19th. Chris Taylor had the night off, or presumably would be batting leadoff.
The Candidates:
Second Baseman Logan Forsythe was batting 5th on opening day. He alternated between 5th and leadoff until a toe injury on April 18th. He had a tough time earning his role back once he returned May 23rd. Chris Taylor had taken full advantage of the opportunity during that span (.326/.437/.570), and Cody Bellinger had hit 9 HR in his first 100 AB.
Catcher Yasmani Grandal is in yet again another batting slump since the beginning of August. 33 strikeouts in 106 PA, .179/.255/.379
Last year, Grandal hit .230/.305/.500 after Sept. 1st. He had 3 hits(1 HR) in 36 PA last postseason.
Catcher Austin Barnes has made the most of his playing time during the Grandal slump. .333/.433/.392 since August 1st.
Right Fielder Yasiel Puig has been horrible batting 5th. 5 for 57, He has primarily batted 8th this year, and had success batting 6th or 7th.
Adrian Gonzalez may not be an option, especially with his back concerns.
Curtis Granderson hasn't produced enough in his playing time, and Andre Ethier hasn't gotten much playing time.
Joc Pederson needs to produce in any spot in the order.
Alex Verdugo may be a year too early for the role.
Seager and Turner have been 2nd and 3rd respectively, and haven't batted 5th this year, Bellinger has been a fixture in the cleanup spot since June 13th.
It should be Puig before the playoffs begin. It would be nice to get s surprise, but I can't see the Dodgers going through a playoff run without Barnes protecting Bellinger being exposed, and Turner dropping to 5th in the lineup.
Friday was the first night that the 2-3-4 hitters of Seager/Turner/Bellinger were in the starting lineup together since August 19th. Chris Taylor had the night off, or presumably would be batting leadoff.
The Candidates:
Second Baseman Logan Forsythe was batting 5th on opening day. He alternated between 5th and leadoff until a toe injury on April 18th. He had a tough time earning his role back once he returned May 23rd. Chris Taylor had taken full advantage of the opportunity during that span (.326/.437/.570), and Cody Bellinger had hit 9 HR in his first 100 AB.
Catcher Yasmani Grandal is in yet again another batting slump since the beginning of August. 33 strikeouts in 106 PA, .179/.255/.379
Last year, Grandal hit .230/.305/.500 after Sept. 1st. He had 3 hits(1 HR) in 36 PA last postseason.
Catcher Austin Barnes has made the most of his playing time during the Grandal slump. .333/.433/.392 since August 1st.
Right Fielder Yasiel Puig has been horrible batting 5th. 5 for 57, He has primarily batted 8th this year, and had success batting 6th or 7th.
Adrian Gonzalez may not be an option, especially with his back concerns.
Curtis Granderson hasn't produced enough in his playing time, and Andre Ethier hasn't gotten much playing time.
Joc Pederson needs to produce in any spot in the order.
Alex Verdugo may be a year too early for the role.
Seager and Turner have been 2nd and 3rd respectively, and haven't batted 5th this year, Bellinger has been a fixture in the cleanup spot since June 13th.
It should be Puig before the playoffs begin. It would be nice to get s surprise, but I can't see the Dodgers going through a playoff run without Barnes protecting Bellinger being exposed, and Turner dropping to 5th in the lineup.
