For all the talk about former MVP winners Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman being at the top of the Los Angeles Dodgers, its depth and in particular Gavin Lux, will be paramount to the team’s success as well.
That was on display Tuesday night as the Dodgers received production from several spots in a 5-4 win against the San Francisco Giants.
In a tie game during the bottom of the fourth inning, Lux stroked a two-strike slider for a double that scored Max Muncy. Kiké Hernández followed him up with a two-run single, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 5-2.
“Honestly, I feel like the bottom of the order can get it going a little more,” Lux said after the win. “Tonight, I think we did that. Me, James (Outman), Kiké, just try to turn it over to the top.
“Obviously, you have three of the best players on Earth, so our job is to set the table for those guys. I think tonight we did a good job of that and hopefully we keep doing that.”
Early in the season, hitters are still trying to find their groove, which is why building on each performance can be so important for someone like Lux in his process. The 26-year-old notched his first RBI of the year, and his fourth run scored, when Hernández drove him in.
“Just slowing the game down a little bit,” Lux added of his current approach. “Not trying to do too much, just try to take your hits, find some barrels. Once you get that, then maybe try to do some more damage.
“But for right now just take your hits and try to build off that.”
Dave Roberts credits Gavin Lux, Dodgers lineup
Aside from the big three of Betts, Ohtani and Freeman, the Dodgers must find a way for the bottom of their order to remain consistent. Having good at-bats and eliminating swing and miss is a key factor, which they did so when the moment called against Giants starter Logan Webb.
“It’s great,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “When you put this roster together and the lineup, you expect length and guys taking good at-bats. James (Outman), the last couple nights, I’ve thought he’s swung the bat really well and just hasn’t gotten any luck. Tonight, lined two balls to make two outs.
“Gavin finally got some outfield grass and walked twice to keep the line moving. Kiké, again, Webb is a tough at-bat, and that was a big hit right there. We ran the bases well. On that note, I thought one of the biggest plays of the night was the lineout to the first baseman off Outman’s bat.
“For Teoscar (Hernández) to get back and keep that inning going, that allowed us to keep pushing some more runs across. Overall, a really well-played game across the board.”
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