Editorials

Dodgers: Justin Turner is Quietly Slugging Since the All-Star Break

 

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner got off to a slow start at the beginning of the season. However, he has turned it around since the All-Star break, and he’s not showing signs of slowing down any time soon.



Through the seasons’ first month plus, the former All-Star combined to slash .279/.379/.337 in his first 29 games (26 started) and 104 at-bats. JT was getting on-base at a fine clip, but the notoriously slow started wasn’t hitting for much power. Turner had only 1 home run and 3 doubles in that time while the team was carried by the otherworldly Cody Bellinger.

In May, Turner played in 22 of the 26 games. He had 82 at-bats, scoring 16 runs, with 28 hits, 5 HRs, 15 RBI’s, 7 strikeouts, and a batting average of .341. As he historically has done, Turner had a better performance in May, where every statistic saw improvement.

Through June and into July, prior to the All-Star break, JT took a slight step back as he combined for a .272 average while scoring only 17 runs and driving in 9. His power numbers subsided too as he had only 6 doubles and 4 home runs in 103 at-bats. That was not the Turner many Dodger fans know.

Since the All-Star Break

Since the start of the unofficial second half of the season, Turner has been a slugging machine. After combining for 10 home runs in the first half, he’s knocked 6 out of the park since July 12. He’s also added 6 doubles, giving him a slugging percentage of .631 (and .991 OPS) in 65 at-bats. The Dodgers have 99 runs, in 18 games, post-All-Star break, partly due to Turner’s performance.

While his batting average sits at only .262 since the break, Turner has stepped up for Los Angeles in a big way as he looks to be getting back to form. The Dodgers will need JT to be the big-time performer we are accustomed to seeing as the club marches towards it’s third consecutive World Series berth.

Levon Satamian

My name is Levon Satamian. I am currently attending Cal State Northridge, and majoring in Broadcast Journalism.

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