With the start of the postseason just around the corner, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in the process of getting their ducks in a row to ensure everyone is healthy and ready to go when they take the field for their first game of the playoffs.
Even in a short season, the Dodgers’ depth has come into play in 2020 with a number of key players missing time due to injury. Corey Seager has been a key contributor this year, only missing time due to minor back discomfort and otherwise performing at an MVP caliber level.
Seager has returned to his pre-injury form, which bodes well for the Dodgers going into October. He will have to continue producing for the team to win a World Series, but Seager believes the Dodgers having previously seen postseason pitching will also play a big role.
“We’ve had experience with it. Every one can run counts, can’t always bank on the big swings. You’ve got to do the small things: run the bases well, move runners, if there’s a guy on third with less than two outs, you’ve got to find a way to get him in. We have that experience,” he said.
“It’s one of those things you do throughout the year but it’s not as focused upon, so coming down the last couple games here, that’s a big thing for us. Is working on those things and knowing how to do them in the moment when we need them.”
The Dodgers offense has feasted on opposing bullpen this season, which is another key to October success. They have a plus-50 run differential from the seventh inning on, which is more than double where they finished in 2019.
“Just as much on the hitting side, it’s been our bullpen. Our bullpen has been really good,” Seager said of the late-game success. “They’ve gotten stretched out a bunch, we’ve had a couple bullpen games, and they’ve gone out and absolutely done their job.
“From the offensive side, it’s pretty similar. We’ve had the same mentality the whole time: you don’t have to be that guy every night. Pass the baton, move it along and just grind out every AB and not give up anything.
“As long as we can keep doing it, that’s a really good place to be. Back of the bullpens are tough to score off of, so if you can have that advantage going into a postseason, that’s a huge win.”
Seager believes 2020 Dodgers lineup is best he’s seen
Led by Mookie Betts and Seager at the top of the lineup, it is hard to imagine many teams wanting to face the Dodgers in a postseason series.
Seager feels this Dodgers lineup is the most complete he has been a part of in his time with the team. “I think our team is a tough match up. In years past we’ve been dominant lefty, dominant righty, and people have kind of mixed and matched us with pitchers,” he said.
“This year, we can throw out every other guy if we need to, or have certain guys in certain positions. I think just one through nine we’re a lot more prepared for everything going into the postseason.”
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