While the Los Angeles Dodgers boast one of the best offenses and pitching staffs in baseball, they have also thrived defensively this season.
Entering play Thursday, the Dodgers as a team are tied for the sixth-fewest errors (17) and rank second in FanGraphs’ defense statistic (13.7). L.A. is also second with 25 defensive runs saved, trailing only the Kansas City Royals (35).
“It’s great to see,” manager Dave Roberts said of the Dodgers’ defensive success. “Defense, sometimes, there is a ceiling individually. But I think that the floor sometimes isn’t raised as high as it should be, and that’s because of effort.
“And our guys have put forth the effort to raise the floor and the ceiling, coincidentally. And that goes with pitching, so I think it’s not secret that our pitching has been so much better in the last two weeks and that’s because our defense has also been stellar.”
Among the Dodgers’ standouts on defense are Mookie Betts, who has accumulated six defensive runs saved at shortstop, and Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages, who have combined for nine defensive runs saved in right field.
Max Muncy (three defensive runs saved at third base) and Gavin Lux (three at second base) are among the other Dodgers players who have excelled at their respective positions.
Defense was a concern for the Dodgers entering this year, specifically in the infield, but those concerns seem to have been put to rest with everyone contributing at a high level.
Dave Roberts marvels at Mookie Betts’ progress at shortstop
Betts’ success at shortstop is nothing short of remarkable as he had primarily played right field for the first 10 seasons of his MLB career.
Betts was originally slated to be the Dodgers’ starting second baseman this season, but moved to shortstop at the end of Spring Training due to Gavin Lux’s defensive struggles at the position.
Considering he didn’t have much time to prepare for the change, Roberts has been impressed with Betts’ quick progress at shortstop.
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