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Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Matt Kemp Sought Advice From Chase Utley To Gain Better Understanding Of Platoon Role
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Matt Kemp Sought Advice From Chase Utley To Gain Better Understanding Of Platoon Role

Matthew Moreno
October 11, 2018
3 Min Read
Kiké Hernandez, Matt Kemp, Chase Utley
Paul Bereswill-Getty Images
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When the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Matt Kemp last offseason in a five-player trade with the Atlanta Braves, his stay with the organization was expected to be short-lived. But Kemp wound up reporting to Spring Training with the Dodgers and went on to make their Opening Day roster.

DRESS LIKE THE PLAYERS IN OUR EXCLUSIVE ‘WORLD SERIES ATTITUDE’ SHIRT

Kemp produced at an MVP level for the team in the second half en route to being named to his first All-Star Game since 2012. Now, however, Kemp finds himself filling another role. He’s one of the several players who was platooned down the stretch of the year and into the postseason.

“It’s a little bit different,” Kemp said of the current phase of his career. “You know, I’m not playing every single game, but it’s just good to be back here, be in a situation where I’ve got a chance to do some big things and just be back in the playoffs again. It’s fun, even just watching, to be ready to try to make an impact in any situation that I can.”

Kemp previously put an emphasis on those in a platoon needing to make sacrifices for the betterment of the team as they look to win their first World Series in 30 years. He’s also aware there isn’t much of an option.

“Honestly, we have no choice but to buy into it,” Kemp said with a laugh. “It’s been working. Like you said, we got guys on the bench that could go somewhere and play every single day and make an impact. But we’re trying to win a championship, and every guy is on the same page, and our own common goal is to win a championship. And everybody is staying ready.”

To better understand how to succeed in his new role, Kemp sought out advice from Chase Utley. The veteran second baseman has seen his playing time diminish, but not his impact on the clubhouse despite being left off the Dodgers’ NLDS roster.

“Chase was one of the guys that I went to, you know, because he’s been in a similar situation,” Kemp said. “But you got so many guys on the bench that can make a big impact. Guys are staying ready and staying hot just in case something happens because you never know when you’re going to come in the game.”

Kemp didn’t make his postseason debut until Game 3 of the National League Division Series. He went 1-for-3 with a double, and also made a pinch-hit appearance in Game 4.

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TAGGED:2018 NLCSChase UtleyLos Angeles DodgersMatt Kemp
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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