Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made it clear in February he intends to use various leadoff hitters throughout the season, which he would base on matchups. Nearly one month later, Roberts named Andre Ethier among the options, citing the veteran outfielder’s consistency in reaching base.
Ethier went on to sustain a fractured right tibia after fouling a pitch off his leg, and he was one of 10 Dodgers to begin the 2016 season on the disabled list. Roberts’ first regular-season lineup as Dodgers manager had Chase Utley leading off against San Diego Padres right-hander Tyson Ross.
The move immediately paid dividends as Utley opened the game with a double. He then scored as Corey Seager followed with an RBI double. Monday’s game marked just the 12th time in Utley’s 11-year career he’s been placed in the leadoff spot. He twice found himself in that position with the Dodgers last season.
While some may view hitting leadoff as reason to change their approach, Utley doesn’t view it as reason to change from his regular mindset, according to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
“For me, the only difference is you’re the first batter of the game,” Utley said. “You’re still just trying to put good at-bats together. … After that first at-bat, pretty much all at-bats are the same.”
Utley finished the game 3-for-5 with the one run scored and two RBIs. He’s expected to bat leadoff on Tuesday when the Dodgers face another Padres right-hander in James Shields. For his career, Utley is just 2-for-13, including three postseason at-bats, against Shields.
While Utley was successful on Opening Day, he certainly wasn’t alone as the Dodgers pushed 15 runs across on 17 hits. Their first four batters — Utley, Seager, Jusitn Turner, Adrian Gonzalez — went a combined 9-for-19 with five RBIs.
