The Los Angeles Dodgers have been a template for roster and lineup versatility throughout their decade-long dominance of the National League west. The 2023 team started with a similar feeling, as a balanced Dodgers lineup led the way in a win against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Opening Dy.
While the Dodgers may not have won their Opening Series, splitting the four games against the Diamondbacks, manager Dave Roberts has already employed late-game pinch-hitters, notably using Miguel Vargas for David Peralta, and Austin Barnes for James Outman to face Diamondbacks closer Andrew Chafin in the ninth inning of Sunday’s loss.
Although the Dodgers lineup being more reliant upon multiple platoons is a change in strategy from the past few years, Roberts sees it as beneficial.
“I like it. I think it adds a different element of giving us some options,” he said over the weekend. “It poses a challenge for the other manager. I think that they showed that [Friday] night against us, being able to deploy some right-handers against a lefty, and it worked out for them.
“So I think that to have that those options, I think is good. It kind of keeps everyone engaged and it’s a good thing for us.”
Thus far, Dodgers platoons have involved Outman, Chris Taylor, Peralta and Trayce Thompson. Though, Thompson was in the lineup on Sunday against a right-hander starter due in part to slugging a career-high three home runs the game prior.
The Dodgers utilizing multiple platoons this season is reminiscent of the 2018 club, which managed to reach the World Series despite some of its limitations offensively.
Dodgers lineup having mixed results
Despite outscoring the Diamondbacks by 13 runs over four games, the Dodgers are 2-2 to start the season. With the boom of the offense in two of the games, the bust has been easy to find.
In their two losses, the Dodgers went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position, leaving 20 on base. As the season progresses, clutch hitting is going to need to be addressed.
Roberts downplayed concern with early trends, noting corrections can come over the course of a 162-game season.
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