LOS ANGELES ― Twice this week, the Dodgers did not have one of their best hitters in the lineup with a left-handed opponent on the mound.
Tuesday in San Francisco, Max Muncy was held out against the Giants’ Alex Wood. Friday against the Chicago Cubs, Will Smith was sidelined with an illness and didn’t play against the Cubs’ Justin Steele. The Dodgers lost both games, underscoring their critical need for lineup depth when facing left-handed pitching.
Overall, the Dodgers hold a 1-3 record in four games against lefties this season. They will face two more in the next two days: the Cubs’ Drew Smyly on Sunday and the New York Mets’ David Peterson on Monday.
Muncy is likely to start against Smyly, against whom he’s had some career success (2 for 7, home run, walk). A more persistent weakness against left-handed pitchers continues to be Trayce Thompson.
Thompson has started in center field each time a left-handed opponent has been on the mound. Roberts said Thompson will start again the next two days despite his having only 16 hits in 98 at-bats against lefties (a .163 average), including four home runs, since the beginning of last season.
“I’m going to keep running him out there and bet that the results will line up,” Roberts said.
Over the same period, Thompson has been excellent against right-handed pitching (.322 average, 13 homers in 143 at-bats). Yet he was not in the lineup Saturday against Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon.
“I look at it as, he is a neutral hitter,” Roberts said of Thompson. “He’s had a lot of success last year and this year having at-bat quality versus right(-handed pitching). … It’s actually a big compliment that I feel comfortable with him in that box vs. either. The next layer is our roster, and how I can deploy guys to put them in the best spots. Trayce’s splits are pretty impressive. I’ll just say that.”
Thompson acknowledged he has room for improvement against left-handed pitching. More specifically, he said, he’s struggled to pick up fastballs with a southpaw on the mound.
“I think it’s more of a timing thing and just getting used to that angle,” he said. “I know it’s in there. It’s just going to take one small tweak and I feel like I’ve had moments here since June last year. It’s just finding that consistency, that’s something I’m kind of searching for.”
There have been times, Thompson said, when he simply hasn’t seen the ball as well out of a pitcher’s left hand as his right. Generally speaking, though, he doesn’t believe his reverse splits are a function of his vision.
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“It’s more subtle. Being convicted and being ready to damage fastballs. Off righties, I feel I do a good job of that. That’s kind of been my thing, my whole going into the last couple years has been trying to do a lot of damage on fastballs. Look at the leaderboards, the best players in baseball, they all do really good against fastballs. It’s just a matter of doing that against lefties now.”
JACKIE ROBINSON DAY
Before Saturday’s game, players from the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs encircled the Jackie Robinson statue together to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day. Roberts, Cubs manager (and former Dodger) David Ross, and Dodgers outfielder (and former Cub) Jason Heyward all spoke before the group.
Saturday marked Heyward’s first Jackie Robinson Day ― in which every player wears number 42 to commemorate the anniversary of Robinson breaking baseball’s “color barrier” 1947 ― as a member of Robinson’s only National League team.
“His book was the first book I read as a child,” Heyward said. “Actually, two different books. I’ve learned about his history. … The more I read it, the more it made things feel normal, as far as the opportunities being achievable. Still you know it’s going to be hard and you’ll believe it when you see it. It’s still a dream. But to be able to live it out for 14 years as a major league ballplayer, brought it full circle for me.”
Heyward also delivered a prepared speech before the sold-out crowd just prior to the ceremonial first pitch by Robinson’s granddaughter, Ayo. In it, Heyward thanked Robinson’s family and described Robinson as “his idol,” inspiring his choice to sign a letter of intent to play baseball at UCLA before he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves out of high school.
ALSO
Roberts said the Dodgers identified Andre Jackson’s pitch-tipping issue which led to the right-hander allowing four home runs in two innings against the Chicago Cubs: “Give credit to those guys for detecting that from Andre. He didn’t make great pitches, but it’s certainly a lot easier when you know what’s coming.” … Smith is expected to be placed on the injured list after missing a second consecutive game with an undiagnosed illness. Roberts said the Dodgers are still running tests on the catcher, who is hitting .333 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 11 games this season. … The Dodgers are expected to sign a free agent catcher to back up Austin Barnes, who will make his third consecutive start behind the plate Sunday.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (LHP Julio Urías, 3-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Chicago Cubs (LHP Drew Smyly, 0-1, 6.52 ERA), 12:10 p.m., Sunday, SportsNet LA, MLB Network (out of market only), 570-AM