The Los Angeles Dodgers made World Series history in Game 1 by starting nine right-handed batters, then doubled down on the strategy against David Price and the Boston Red Sox in Game 2. That’s entailed the Dodgers’ top four regular-season home run hitters being relegated to the bench, another first in the Fall Classic.
The approach had its moments in each of the first two games at Fenway Park, but as a whole has not panned out as the Dodgers are down two games to none with the World Series now shifting to Dodger Stadium this weekend.
With the Red Sox expected to start Rick Porcello in Game 3 and potentially Nathan Eovaldi in Game 4, some changes in the lineup are on the horizon for the Dodgers.
“As far as at the top, Justin Turner has been at the top, second or third, all year long. There’s no reason to move him,” manager Dave Roberts said.
“And I think Brian Dozier against a lefty, these first two games, I thought his at-bat quality was pretty good. And so now you’re looking at Manny, who I think has had some good at-bats. And David Freese in the 3, I think he’s probably had our best at-bats top to bottom in these first two games.
“But we’re going to shuffle it up for Game 3, but it’s not because of necessarily performance, it’s kind of who the starting pitcher for those guys is. But these are the guys that got us here, and we’re going to ride them out.”
On the surface it can be presumed Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and perhaps Joc Pederson will each start Friday. Each has been relegated to pinch-hitting thus far in the World Series.
