The Los Angeles Dodgers’ recent offensive woes can be attributed to a number of factors, including injuries and multiple regulars slumping at the same time.
While several players have continued struggling, others are beginning to find more success. Among them include Max Muncy, who has amassed multiple multi-hit games and slugged three home runs in the past week.
The 30-year-old revealed he made some adjustments to his swing with the help of the Dodgers hitting coaches. “We’re changing some things,” Muncy said.
“It’s really hard to be on top of a fastball right now with the amount of movement everyone out there has. Everyone is throwing riseballs now, so you’ve just got to make adjustments. Mine are taking a little bit longer, but we’re getting there and making good progress.
“Like I said, hopefully just keep building on it.”
Muncy added the changes should help him better catch up to fastballs, which has been his kryptonite this year. “It’s not necessarily wait for my pitch. I’ve had a lot of pitches over this stretch that I should’ve been putting play,” Muncy said.
“I was fouling it off underneath, and that’s why I say I had to make the adjustment to get on top of fastballs. That’s something in the past you haven’t really had to do.
“It’s just the game changing and you’ve got to change with it. Like I said, it’s just taking a little longer for me. Hopefully I can build of some success here.”
Even with his recent struggles and low batting average, Muncy has still been a valuable member of the Dodgers lineup. He enters play Wednesday with a .425 on-base percentage, having drawn a Major League-best 34 walks in 34 games this season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted that he doesn’t believe Muncy has been too passive in the cleanup spot and is reluctant to make changes to the batting order.
Muncy: Dodgers ‘way better’ than recent play
With Sunday’s loss to the L.A. Angels, the Dodgers dropped to just 5-15 in their last 20 games. “We’re absolutely frustrated,” Muncy said last week. “We’re way better than this. Period.”
He returned from the team’s off day and hit a home run to help the Dodgers complete a comeback win against the Seattle Mariners.
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