For as much noise as Joc Pederson and Trayce Thompson may generate, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ youth movement continues to be led by Corey Seager. The 22-year-old shortstop capped off an impressive series against the Atlanta Braves with his second multi-home run game in three days.
Seager went 3-for-5 with the two home runs and four RBIs in Sunday’s blowout victory to complete a three-game sweep of Atlanta. He finished the weekend series with six hits, including five home runs, and seven RBIs.
In 32 games (30 starts) since May 1, Seager is batting .302/.355/.587 with six doubles, 10 home runs and 19 RBIs. He leads the Dodgers this season in batting average (.286), hits (65), home runs (14) and RBIs (35).
After his first career three-homer game, Seager said the ball appeared to be sitting on tee for him no matter who was pitching, and hoped that feeling would carry over.
“I was putting good swings on balls, getting lucky, elevating them and they’re going out,” Seager said on Sunday. “It’s just one of those things that you try to do every day but it’s working right now.”
The Dodgers combined for 12 runs on 14 hits, with every starter collecting at least one hit. “It’s fun and exciting,” Seager said of the team’s success. “Those are those moments you want to enjoy while they’re happening.”
First-year Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has regularly praised his young shortstop and hardly was surprised by another prolific performance. “It’s kind of déjà vu,” Roberts said.
“It keeps happening every day, and I could get used to it. He sees the ball out of the hand very well, has a very sound, short swing and power to all fields. He can hit any pitch to any part of the ballpark. It’s special. There’s only a few guys who can do that. But it starts with his pitch recognition.”
Beginning Monday with a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies, the Dodgers will face a National League West opponent in nine consecutive games. Los Angeles has some momentum behind them, winning 10 of their last 14 games.
“We needed that,” Seager said of the sweep. “We came in and handled the business we needed to. Now you kind of get things rolling a little bit and try to take it into the next one.”
As for the personal success, another multi-home run game called for the same dinner. “Pizza again,” Seager answered when asked what he planned to eat for his postgame meal. “You have to, right?”
