Since the Los Angeles Dodgers brought back Kiké Hernández before the trade deadline, they have gone 13-4 that includes a current nine-game winning streak which has boosted their lead in the National League West standings to nine games.
While the Dodgers have impressed all of August, their torrid stretch began with a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who once sat atop the division.
“To be able to beat those guys and we swept them, and we just started rolling,” Hernández said. “We’ve won a lot of games and I think we have a very complete team. You saw it tonight, a lot of guys from one through nine that can get the job done.
“If they bring somebody that’s going to go their way in a matchup, we have some guys on the bench on any given night that can come in and match up better.”
Hernández, who was not having his best season for the Boston Red Sox, was a staple of Dodgers lineups from 2015-2020 and has been his exuberant self back in the clubhouse, even pairing up with Miguel Rojas with their sartorial choices.
Hernández has been used mostly in a platoon role, given his splits against left-handed pitching have always been better than when facing righties.
Newly acquired Amed Rosario has also been used almost exclusively against left-handers, and Jason Heyward is utilized for matchups the other way. Between Rosario, Hernández and Heyward, there will continue to be many situations where splits dictate lineup decisions and pinch-hitting situations.
“It’s hard,” Hernández admitted of a platoon role. “Pinch-hitting is one of the hardest things to do in all of sports, but we have a veteran group here that’s been doing it for a while now.
“I think it starts with communication on the bench with the coaching staff letting us know really early in the game in which situations we would be coming in and against who for who. I think that’s a good combination for success.”
Kiké Hernández & Amed Rosario flourishing in roles with Dodgers
Hernández has hit .321/.361/.500 in 17 games since he was traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers. Hernández has played first base, second base, shortstop, third base, left field and center field since his return.
Rosario too has found his stroke in a Dodgers uniform, batting .277/.292/.532, while playing a combination of second base and shortstop.
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