Editorials

Dodgers: Corey Seager Batting Leadoff for First Time in Career

The Dodgers are batting Corey Seager leadoff tonight against the Boston Red Sox, opening up the second half with a World Series rematch.

The Dodgers activated all three of Seager, AJ Pollock, and David Freese from the IL and they are all in the lineup tonight with Freese batting third and acting as the designated hitter while Pollock is batting sixth and playing center field.



Seager leading off for the first time in his career and doing it against a lefty is interesting, but there is a legitimate case for him to be the guy who does it. The Dodgers possess more than enough firepower in the middle of the lineup to substantiate the idea of batting Seager, who gets on-base at a really solid clip, at the top of the order.

Seager holds a career .344 on-base percentage against left-handers and a .383 on-base percentage against right-handers.

Alex Verdugo would be another option for the spot, but could be better suited to do so against right-handed pitching.

The lineup will see its fair share of changes as we have become accustomed to with manager Dave Roberts at the helm. With the Dodgers facing three lefties in the Boston series alone, expect the lineup to look similar each night with Chris Taylor possibly finding his way into the lineup at some point instead of Kiké Hernandez.

This lineup is strong and could get even stronger. Only time will tell.

Daniel Preciado

My name is Daniel Preciado and I am 19 years old. I am a sophomore Sport Analytics major and Cognitive Science and Economics dual minor at Syracuse University. When I am not in New York, I live in Whittier, California --- not too far from Chavez Ravine. I am pretty old-school for being an analytics guy and I will always embrace debate. Also, Chase Utley did absolutely nothing wrong.

9 Comments

  1. The absolute worst leadoff hitter I’ve ever seen just swings at everything under the sun

  2. Barnes’ current slump now 3-for-34, and his season average .203; meanwhile, top catching prospect Will Smith hit two homers on Friday night for Triple-A Oklahoma City…………..How much longer do we have to watch this?

    1. Correct me if I’m wrong but did I read in one of the other dodgersnation.com posts that the Dodgers pitchers like Barnes as a catcher? i know Martin’s 2nd-time around with the team is limited and Will Smith even more so, but if Kershaw, Ryu, Maeda, Hill are saying this, this team will Not go far in the playoffs with Barnes being an automatic-out. They should have brought back Grandal, if this is the case. C’mon guys wake up!

  3. Maeda goes 5.2 innings gives up three runs and strikes out seven. Baez only gets 2 BATTERS out, does not pitch a complete inning and gives up three runs. Chargois only gets 2 BATTERS out, does not pitch a complete inning and gives up two runs. Is it any wonder that I cringed as soon as Dave left the dugout to take Kenta out of the game in the middle of the sixth? Our manager just does not get it.

  4. Seager is a notorious first pitch swinger. All the catchers know this. Terrible for a lead off hitter. He would be especially anxious due to first game back after IL stint. Who is in charge of the line up? Or was this considered a “give a way game”?
    And I feel for Barnes as I can imagine his nightly frustration. But he’s had a half of a season to show the team what he can do. Time now for the team to do the right thing.

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