TAMPA — The Dodgers are nonetheless determining the long-term answer to spark their scuffling lineup. However within the brief time period, they determined that one other change on the high would make sense.
Shohei Ohtani moved again to the leadoff spot and Mookie Betts dropped right down to the two-hole for Sunday afternoon’s sequence finale in opposition to the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Discipline.
The 2 had been swapped within the order since July 20, when the Dodgers batted a struggling Betts atop the order within the hope that it could revitalize his bat. That has not come to move.
Coming into Sunday, Betts had gone 8-for-43 (.189) with a .498 OPS and 7 runs scored in his previous 11 video games. The concept that a transfer to the highest may result in him getting on base extra didn’t fairly pan out both, as Betts had a .265 OBP with 5 walks in that span.
The change may not be everlasting, as supervisor Dave Roberts continues to be contemplating how greatest to configure the lineup. The approaching return of third baseman Max Muncy — who could possibly be again as quickly as Monday after lacking practically 5 weeks with a bone bruise in his left knee — might additionally shake issues up quickly.
“It is form of simply making an attempt to determine what’s greatest brief time period,” Roberts mentioned. “Long term, we have Munce coming again quickly. Will [Smith’s] not enjoying on daily basis, clearly, as a catcher. … This was the most effective lineup for as we speak. And that is form of the place I am at proper now.”
In the meantime, Ohtani went into Sunday with combined outcomes since transferring down a spot within the lineup (he led off two video games final weekend in Boston whereas Betts was away from the crew attributable to a demise within the household). Ohtani went 12-for-49 (.245), with 5 of these hits leaving the yard. However he additionally struck out 24 instances in 56 plate appearances.
Ohtani’s .983 OPS out of the leadoff spot is the most effective amongst all Main Leaguers with a minimum of 200 plate appearances within the high spot within the order. A Dodgers crew that has gotten inconsistent manufacturing on the plate over the previous month might definitely use that model of him.
“He is open to no matter helps the crew,” Roberts mentioned. “However I do assume that when you are within the batter’s field, you are within the batter’s field. Being the primary hitter of the sport may set off one thing.”
Betts’ transfer to the leadoff spot wasn’t anticipated to be a everlasting change, nevertheless it has not led to a turnaround. Whereas he has made some higher contact in latest days, it has not translated to outcomes. Betts’ .667 OPS could be the bottom of his 12-year massive league profession if he cannot flip issues round by season’s finish. Solely Michael Conforto (.649) has a worse mark amongst certified Dodgers hitters.
Dropping Betts down farther within the order shouldn’t be out of the query if he continues to scuffle, and Roberts is making an attempt to strike a stability between fielding his greatest lineup whereas making an attempt to get his beginning shortstop in the appropriate headspace.
“I do know that he and the hitting coaches have been working diligently, constantly, deliberately,” Roberts mentioned. “I feel that the very first thing, the simplest factor, to say is it is a mechanical factor. So I suppose form of that is the place he is at. But in addition I do imagine that there is a psychological a part of it, too, which is kind of beating him down just a little bit, the place I am simply making an attempt to proceed to instill my religion in him and confidence in him.”
