Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Confident In Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy Heading Into Postseason
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Confident In Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy Heading Into Postseason

Matt Borelli
September 24, 2020
4 Min Read
Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy
Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2020 season with arguably the deepest lineup in all of baseball, led by reigning National League MVP Cody Bellinger and the addition of Mookie Betts.

The rest of the group consists of multiple former All-Stars such as Justin Turner, Corey Seager, Max Muncy and Joc Pederson, and an emerging Will Smith. With so much talent in one lineup, the Dodgers expectedly have had their way with opposing pitchers this season.

However, not every player has lived up to expectations. Bellinger struggled offensively to begin the year, hitting a mere .139 with no home runs in July (eight games).

He eventually caught fire in August, but fell into another slump at the start of September — only to have since bounced back with an eight-game hitting streak. Likewise, Muncy hasn’t found consistency at the plate.

The 30-year-old has seen his on-base plus slugging progressively drop by the month, while his power numbers in general are down when compared to recent seasons.

As the postseason draws closer, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that he isn’t necessarily concerned about Bellinger’s and Muncy’s results at the plate, but more so their approach.

“You can put Joc in that bucket too. I don’t think it’s a numbers thing. For me, it’s more of this is an eye test,” Roberts recently said.

“I don’t need numbers to see if they’re controlling the strike zone, if they’re using the whole field, if they’re ending the at-bat at the appropriate time when they get a pitch they can handle. For me, that’s more that I’m looking for going into the postseason.”

Focusing on Muncy specifically, the start of his 2020 campaign was derailed after fracturing his finger in Summer Camp. It forced him to change his mechanics, which in turn created a mental challenge that was difficult to overcome.

Connecting the dots, Roberts believes the root of Muncy’s struggles stem from his previous finger injury. “I think it started off early with the little fracture and then some time away, trying to work through his mechanics,” Roberts said.

“There’s some things mechanically he hasn’t been able to lock down, but I think last night, staying through that breaking ball was a good sign. There was a left-on-left double the other way in San Diego, he’s taking his walks, so he’s certainly trending in the right direction.

“I expect him to be peaking at the right time.”

Roberts doesn’t correlate Muncy’s offensive struggles with defensive woes

In addition to his struggles at the plate, Muncy has taken a step back defensively as well. He has committed four errors on the year — three of which occurred over his last four games.

While it’s easy to claim there is a connection to struggles at the plate, Roberts doesn’t believe Muncy’s recent defensive woes relate to his offensive slump. “No, no. Max is a pro. He definitely is not a guy that takes his hitting to the defensive side,” Roberts said.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Cody BellingerDave RobertsLos Angeles DodgersMax Muncy
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Garrett Crochet
Rumors

Garrett Crochet Trade Rumors: Dodgers Remain Interested After Signing Blake Snell

November 29, 2024
November 29, 2024
Will Smith, Daniel Vogelbach
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Credits Pirates For ‘Heck Of A Series’

May 12, 2022
May 12, 2022
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Walker Buehler Feels ‘Better,’ Believes Start Against Giants Was Positive ‘Step Forward’

May 1, 2019
May 1, 2019
Dodger Stadium view, tarp, 2023 Opening Day
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Is Hurricane Hilary Going To Cause Rainout At Dodger Stadium? Tropical Storm Watch Issued

August 18, 2023
August 18, 2023

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어