Ohtani hitting leadoff, Betts in two-hole may be 'best short term' move

TAMPA — The Dodgers are nonetheless determining the long-term resolution to spark their scuffling lineup. However within the brief time period, they determined that one other change on the prime would make sense.

Ohtani went 2-for-3 with a hustle double and two walks (one intentional), whereas Betts went 0-for-3 with a stroll and a sacrifice fly. They have been each a part of the equation when the Dodgers scored a useful insurance coverage run within the seventh inning.

Ohtani singled with one out and Betts adopted with a stroll, after which they pulled off a double steal. That put Ohtani in place to attain on Freddie Freeman’s RBI single.

Betts later padded the Dodgers’ lead within the ninth inning, lifting the tenth pitch he noticed from Griffin Jax to the sting of the outfield grass in left-center to drive in Alex Name.

Ohtani and Betts had been swapped within the order since July 20, when the Dodgers batted a struggling Betts atop the order within the hope that it might revitalize his bat. That has not come to move.

Getting 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 a transfer to the highest would possibly 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 won’t be everlasting, as supervisor Dave Roberts remains 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 — may additionally shake issues up quickly.

“It is type 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 day-after-day, clearly, as a catcher. … This was one of the best lineup for right now. And that is type of the place I am at proper now.”

In the meantime, Ohtani went into Sunday with combined outcomes since shifting down a spot within the lineup (he led off two video games final weekend in Boston whereas Betts was away from the crew resulting from 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 one of the best amongst all Main Leaguers with not less than 200 plate appearances within the prime spot within the order. A Dodgers crew that has gotten inconsistent manufacturing on the plate over the previous month may definitely use that model of him.

“He is open to no matter helps the crew,” Roberts mentioned. “However I do suppose that after you are within the batter’s field, you are within the batter’s field. Being the primary hitter of the sport would possibly set off one thing.”

Betts’ transfer to the leadoff spot wasn’t anticipated to be a everlasting change, however 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 can be the bottom of his 12-year huge 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 isn’t 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 fitting headspace.

“I do know that he and the hitting coaches have been working diligently, constantly, deliberately,” Roberts mentioned. “I believe that the very first thing, the simplest factor, to say is it is a mechanical factor. So I suppose type 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 form of beating him down somewhat bit, the place I am simply making an attempt to proceed to instill my religion in him and confidence in him.”