The Los Angeles Dodgers were middle of the road when it came to stolen bases during the regular season, as they ranked just 17th overall with 65. Much of the discussion involving swiped bags centered around their pitchers being prone to allowing opponents to run at will.
However, the Dodgers have become more aggressive during the postseason, with their 11 stolen bases leading all clubs entering play Monday. The Houston Astros rank second with six, and they are followed by the St. Louis Cardinals, who had three in their Wild Card Game loss to the Dodgers.
L.A. has been particularly opportunistic in the National League Championship Series as they are a perfect 6-for-6 on stolen bases attempts through the first two games against the Atlanta Braves.
“I know these players better than anyone does and I know our team better than anyone does,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of asking players who otherwise did not do much running throughout the year to attempt a stolen base in the postseason.
“So if I don’t feel the risk is worth it, then I’m not going to make that decision. So, yeah, I understand both sides, but I can’t live in a world of if it works it’s a great decision. So I make decisions based on what I know of my players.
“If the situation calls for it, it wouldn’t be crazy to see Corey Seager steal a base, absolutely.”
Dodgers hitting woes
While the Dodgers are excelling with stolen bases, the team’s situational hitting has drastically lagged behind.
Through eight postseason games thus far, they are batting .191/.305/.294 with four doubles, one home run and 17 RBI across 68 at-bats with a runner in scoring position.
“I think in that particular instance it’s an approach thing,” Roberts said. “It’s an approach thing and I think that certain times in scoring position we, we’re expanding too much.”
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