While the Los Angeles Dodgers still have postseason seeding to play for, their place as National League West division champions was locked up on Friday with a 7-2 win over the San Diego Padres.
After a five-run seventh inning to take the lead, Andy Pages gave the Dodgers insurance with a two-run homer in the eighth. Pages started the game in center field to give Miguel Rojas the day off after he suffered a left adductor injury, which moved Tommy Edman to shortstop.
The 2024 season has been somewhat of a rollercoaster for Pages, who began the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City. After getting off to a hot start, he began to regress and lost playing time.
That led to Pages being optioned back to Triple-A when the Dodgers had a roster crunch after the trade deadline. However, he was recalled on Sept. 1 when rosters expanded, and since then has been back to producing at a strong level.
The Dodgers currently have 14 position players on their active roster, so they’ll need to remove one player when the postseason begins, with the other likely joining their taxi squad for the playoffs.
Pages was among the candidates to possibly not make the roster, along with Kevin Kiermaier and Chris Taylor. But according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, it’s safe to assume Pages’ spot on the club is safe.
“I can’t see a world where he’s not on the playoff roster,” Roberts said.
Prior to Pages being optioned amid his slump and the roster crunch, Roberts saw the rookie outfielder in a somewhat poor mental state as he was disappointed by not playing combined with struggles at the plate.
Once he was recalled, Roberts noted the 23-year-old was in a much better frame of mind and more willing to fill whatever role was necessary to help the team.
In September, Pages is batting .306/.324/.583 with three home runs, nine RBI and eight runs scored. He figures to work as a pinch-hitter and potential platoon option against left-handed pitching when the postseason begins.
Andy Pages helping Dodgers against left-handers
Pages has hit left-handed pitching well throughout the season, which has allowed him to receive more playing time even on a roster that’s stacked with a deep lineup every night.
“It’s pretty remarkable,” Roberts recently said. “We’re trying to find some guys that will come to life versus left-handed pitching, and Andy’s been consistent all year. Even coming back and not playing every day, which he was before he went down, it’s a different role for him.
“I give him a lot of credit as a young player to be ready when called upon. He’s making the most of his opportunities.”
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