Dodger: Dave Roberts Still Learning How to Best Utilize the DH Spot
The Dodgers have the added benefit of having the universal DH back this season. You could argue that no team in baseball better utilized it during the shortened 2020 season, especially with the number of sluggers on their roster.
But this year has proven to be a bit of a challenge. The guys that the Dodgers have rotated into the DH spot have struggled, including Justin Turner and Max Muncy. Those two have spent the majority of the time at the DH spot in the first year of the new CBA.
But from what Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this week, there should be more consistency at that spot. And that could be huge. Muncy himself even said that the lack of consistency has made things a little difficult. (quotes via the OC Register)
“You’re basically learning a new position. Everyone just thinks, ‘Oh, you’re hitting.’ But you’re really learning a new position because you have to figure out what to do between your at-bats. You have to figure out how to shut it off, how to carry yourself. It really is almost like learning a new position. So maybe there is a little bit to that. But I don’t think me or Justin is ever going to use that as an excuse.”
Muncy has really struggled this season, posting a .624 OPS through the first 37 games of the season. But the Dodgers know that getting JT some days off of his feet is very important to his health, and a healthy JT usually means a very productive bat in the lineup.
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The hope is that the consistency helps both guys find it at the plate. The Dodgers really need both bats to get going, and Muncy has yet to show signs of life at the plate. But if he gets out into the field more often and knows where he is going to be, that could play up for them.
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The DH situation seems to be set between Turner and Rios. The big problem is what to do with this season’s disappointing play of #13. He’s clearly not ready for everyday so give him some time off to work things out. The constant game pressure is not helping.
The time to sit Max is long overdue. Let him rehab in AAA. He can’t hit and he is not very good defensively at 2nd or 3rd. He sure looks at least 10 lbs overweight which might be contributing to his struggles. Amazing that dr Dave keeps batting him in the 5 spot.
Especially after today, Muncy needs to sit for a while until his elbow is better and he has his hitting stoke back. He struck out with the bases loaded, hit into a DP. and made the error that cost the game. Psychologically he seems defeated. Rios should be the DH with Lux at 2d and Taylor in left. Taylor may also need to be rested as he is now striking out way too often. It will take a very long time for Roberts to make any of these moves.