The Los Angeles Dodgers won two of three games from the New York Yankees in their weekend set in the Bronx, powered by a strong performance from their middle-of-the-order bats.
Teoscar Hernández provided the Dodgers with extra-base hits in all three matchups with the Yankees. In the middle game on Saturday, he clubbed two home runs, one being a grand slam.
His six RBI were a season high for the 31-year-old who has lived up to every bit of his one-year contract with the Dodgers so far.
Hernández and his clutch hitting were a big reason the offense was successful against a marquee opponent, and those moments were welcomed by the slugger, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“I like to be in the spotlight, the pressure, those big situations,” Hernández said. “That’s what we play for.”
Hernández rose to the occasion and made the most of key at-bats. He hit .500/.571/1.417 with two doubles, three home runs and nine RBI against the Yankees. His hot streak comes ahead of the Dodgers squaring up against the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers.
The Rangers enter Tuesday with a 31-34 record and remain 5.5 games out of first place in the American League West, but their offense still has the ability to pop when things click.
Facing back-to-back opponents when a statement showing isn’t the worst thing to have, would propel the Dodgers into an area they feel that momentum and tenacity is on their side.
Should the Dodgers sign Teoscar Hernández long term?
Playing on a one-year contract, Hernández bet on himself to succeed in a big market with a loaded lineup alongside Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani.
With Max Muncy out due to an oblique injury, Hernández has proven he’s very capable of doing a heap of damage all on his own.
Batting .266/.333/.516 with a 142 wRC+, 16 home runs and a team-leading 48 RBI, Hernández is a cog in the Dodgers’ offense. For what he provides, Hernández is also interested in sticking with the team for the long run.
If the front office and Hernández are aligned in that view, it would make perfect sense for them and their current outfield group.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
