Dodgers Team News

Dodgers: Cody Bellinger is Finding Success at the Perfect Time for LA

It’s been a long season for Cody Bellinger, especially at the plate offensively. After having shoulder surgery in the offseason, the former MVP just hasn’t looked 100% when swinging the bat, and it’s cost this team on many occasions.

His struggles led to many questions about his role on the postseason roster, but it’s safe to say that Cody has quieted those questions since the start of the playoffs. After batting just .165 all season long, no one would have been surprised if the same trend continued into October. Instead, however, he has done everything possible to give this team a boost when it needs it the most.



Cody Bellinger 2021 Postseason Stats

  • .308 BA (4 for 13)
  • 1 Double
  • 2 RBI
  • 2 Walks
  • 2 Stolen Bases

All together, Cody is getting on base in 40% of his at-bats, which has helped create traffic and multiple scoring opportunities for this Dodgers team (although cashing them in consistently is a different story).

It’s no secret that the Dodgers are a better team when Bellinger is doing well, but Dave Roberts broke down how his play has helped spark this offense during the playoffs so far.

It just adds that different dynamic, obviously. [It adds] length to the lineup, on the bases when he gets on there. Obviously the crowd feels it. His teammates, they want success for him and they feed off of that energy.

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It’s a small sample size, so it’s definitely important to take all of this with a grain of salt. Still, it has to be a good feeling for this Dodgers team to see one of their most important players finally getting on the right track.

So what does this all mean for the Dodgers’ title hopes in 2021? Not much if they can’t figure out Logan Webb on Thursday night, that will be a battle in itself. But if they find a way to exorcise those demons and advance, Cody Bellinger might just have enough in the tank to help push this team to a second consecutive World Series Title.

Daniel Palma

Daniel is an avid sports fan who loves his hometown teams. If he's not watching baseball, you can find him playing or coaching. No matter what, he'll always root for the Boys in Blue!

14 Comments

  1. Skeptical but fingers crossed and hoping for the best. Without Pollock & JT hitting its even more critical for Bellinger to hit.

    1. He can contribute. But as a productive hitter there is little hope until he stops dropping his head while the the ball is in flight. Fatal! Keep your head still! He has a shot. Against. Webb. Slow stuff down…

  2. He’s hit a few hard ground balls that somehow made it through the shift, but his swing looks much more level, he’s not chasing as much, and he’s making more contact, all off which bodes well.

  3. During postseason it seems like Bellinger is putting more balls on play, is chasing less and is taking walks – I think tonight Bellinger as well as other Dodger hitters have to adjust to Logan Webb’s style of pitching – maybe they should try hitting ball to opposite field or even laying down a bunt (if the defensive positioning ignores the possibility of a bunt)

  4. I think it is very important to have a solid hitter batting behind Belli. We need to give him some protection….. I also think he still needs to stay in the bottom of the lineup.

    Someone referenced that the SF announcers this series made mention that the Giants are still scared of Belli. Keeps the psychological advantage going for LA.

    Said it before….

    From the lips of Vinny, “It’s time for Dodger Baseball!!!!!”

    And in the background, Jerry Doggett saying, “Check that!”

    LFG LA!!!!!

  5. Bellinger has to get on base..His speed is the most important. This game would be the time to lay down the bunt to 3rd base. JT needs to be put down to 7th in the order and move CT3 to 5th. Bellinger in the 8 spot in front of Urias ideal….

    1. Last game’s lineup will do, why change it. Could’ve scored 10 easy. Old saying, if it ain’t broken don’t fix it. We ‘fixed it’ after game 2…. Let it roll! Go Dodgers!

      1. Because last games line up went against the Vagiants worst pitcher who has been hit hard by the Dodgers all season. And JT couldn’t even hit that pitching. It would definitely be the best to move him down so he doesn’t leave so many runners on base and stop rallies. He’s just not in his zone now and hasn’t been for a month.

        1. I see your point. However, we scored 7 times with him in that position. Game 4 lineup had flow just like game 2….. Turner is our best post season hitter and he will make the adjustment, just watch.

        2. Kirk, for the month? JT only tied the game off Waino in the WC game and lit up CORBIN BURNES in Game 161! Sheesh. A bit harsh.

  6. Anyone who has been reading my comments for a while know I had been defending Bellinger all along. I had stated that the postseason wipes the slate clean and that he would contribute! I was also the one posting (because I had listened to some Giants podcasts) how the Giants still were afraid of Bellinger…turns out with good reason!

  7. I can just hear the Giants’ fans saying…Cody effing Bellinger?? A .165 hitter? How the hell does he beat us?? Ah but Bellinger a former rookie of the year AND NL MVP has greatness in his DNA!

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