The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently in the midst of their most important stretch of the season as they have fallen into third place in the National League West after some poor play over the last couple weeks.
They hit their way to a big 11-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday night, and they now go for their second straight win with ace Clayton Kershaw taking the mound on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.
Although he’s been successful against right-handed pitching, Joc Pederson is not in the Dodgers lineup as they go for a series win.
That is because he is dealing with a left knee contusion and therefore is limited to potentially pinch-hitting, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Joc Pederson is out with a contusion of his left knee from fouling off a pitch. Roberts said he might return to the lineup Tuesday, is available off the bench. Explains Max Muncy leading off.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 25, 2018
Pederson has not played much over the last couple weeks due to the Dodgers facing a slew of southpaws. But he is in the midst of a career season, especially against right-handers, as he is batting .263/.345/.563 with all 19 of his home runs coming against opposite pitching.
Max Muncy is in the leadoff spot in Pederson’s place on Saturday, and Chris Taylor, Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig fill out the outfield with Muncy playing first.
