While Corey Seager was coming off a lower back sprain that forced him to miss the National League Championship Series, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts deemed the All-Star shortstop an unlikely candidate to serve as a designated hitter during the World Series.
The team now faces a decision for three games this weekend, beginning with Game 3 against Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. Charlie Morton is scheduled to start Game 4, and Dallas Keuchel is the probable for Sunday’s finale at Minute Maid Park.
Speaking prior to the Dodgers’ off-day workout on Thursday, Roberts wasn’t yet ready to commit to a DH but did offer some clarity. Joc Pederson is earmarked for a second consecutive start in left field, and Austin Barnes will catch Yu Darvish.
“I’m thinking through on the DH spot, and just kind of really want to dig into it a little bit more,” Roberts said.
“McCullers with the curveball, both guys, him and Morton, are sort of reverse guys over a large sample. So, yeah, we’ll kind of think through it a little bit more.”
Options for the Dodgers to DH are Charlie Culberson, Andre Ethier, Kiké Hernandez, Yasmani Grandal and Chase Utley. Culberson’s light bat make him an unlikely candidate, and Utley’s struggles likely eliminate him.
Grandal also hasn’t swung the bat particularly well over limited opportunities this postseason, which may leave a final decision between Ethier and Hernandez.
The former is 2-for-9 with a home run, one RBI and one walk in four games (two starts), while Hernandez is 7-for-17 with a one double, three home runs, eight RBI and three walks. But, he’s struggled against pitchers who rely heavily on a breaking ball.
Ethier is a career 3-for-3 off McCullers, Hernandez is 1-for-2, and Utley has a double in three at-bats against the right-hander.
