The Los Angeles Dodgers got off to one of their worst starts in franchise history, going 16-26 through the first month and a half of the season, including losing a combined six straight games to the Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins.
Beginning with the series finale in Miami on May 17, the Dodgers have turned it around in all facets of the game, winning 15 of 20 to move within 1.5 games of the Arizona Diamondbacks for first place in the National League West.
Despite facing continued issues in their starting rotation and relying on a taxed bullpen, the Dodgers went 5-1 on a road trip, which included a sweep of the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field for the first time since 2010.
After a recent win, manager Dave Roberts was asked why the team has come together the last couple of weeks, and he pointed out Justin Turner and Chris Taylor as two players that have led that turnaround, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“It’s easy to point to J.T., him being activated. I think that even Chris Taylor, he’s been struggling the last few weeks but every time he gets in the box I feel like he’s going to get a hit. They’re fighting. They’re trying to win pitches.”
Turner missed most of that rough stretch to begin the season due to a fractured wrist, making his season debut in the aforementioned Miami series. He’s battling lingering soreness in the wrist and is hitting .243/.325/.343 with four doubles, one home run and 10 RBI in 20 games.
But more than any other player, the Dodgers have embodied Turner’s gritty personality when they have been at their best in recent years. Taylor is another one of those players and although he got off to a bit of a slow start, he has swung the bat much better during this recent stretch.
He enters play Friday batting .251/.339/.456 with 13 doubles, six triples, eight home runs and 26 RBI.
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