The Los Angeles Dodgers kept their hot streak going in Tuesday’s series opener against the Texas Rangers, defeating them 12-5 in a game in which they had 16 hits and slugged three home runs.
One of the biggest contributors for the Dodgers was Max Muncy, who got his first start this season at second base. He went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in the game.
The home run was Muncy’s sixth in the month of June, which is second in all of baseball in the month behind only teammate Joc Pederson. It was also Muncy’s 13th homer on the season, which leads the team.
No one could have predicted before the season that Muncy would be leading the Dodgers in home runs in the middle of June and could be on his way to his first career All-Star Game.
However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noticed during Spring Training that something was there with Muncy but still has been impressed since he was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City in April, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“A grinder, a guy who is all in and will do whatever it takes for us to win,” Roberts said of his expectations when Muncy arrived from Triple-A on April 17. “I didn’t expect to see the consistent slug and the ability to barrel baseballs. This guy, he knows where the barrel’s at.
“I just didn’t appreciate it. I didn’t know the player. In spring training, obviously it was a small sample. But the more you see him … there’s a lot to like.”
In 45 games this season, Muncy has hit .277/.395/.631 with 30 RBI while playing third base, first base, left field and now second base. His slugging percentage is the highest in the National League among players with at least 100 plate appearances.
Earlier this week, Roberts compared Muncy’s breakout season to that of Chris Taylor in 2017, and just like was the case with Taylor a year ago, who knows where the Dodgers would be without Muncy.
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