Tampa – The Dodgers are still figuring out long-term solutions to inspire their impact lineup. But in the short term, they think another change at the top makes sense.
Ohtani went 3-2 with a hustle double and two walks (one intentional) while Betts took 3-3 with walking and sacrificial flies. They are all part of the equation when the Dodgers get valuable insurance rates in the seventh inning.
Ohtani took out one, Betts took a walk, then they made a double steal. This gives Ohtani the ability to score on Freddie Freeman's RBI singles.
Bates later filled the Dodgers' lead in the ninth inning, lifting him from the tenth court seen by Griffin Jax to the edge of the field grass at the left center toward Alex Call.
“I won't call it the ball I want,” Bates said. “But every time I get encouraged, I'm 0-for-15. I've tried my best. I've been playing all day. I hit after the game. Very early in the cage. I really don't know what to do. ”
Ottani and Bates have been exchanged for orders since the Dodgers struggled with Bates on July 20, hoping it would revitalize his bats. That has not been passed yet.
Entering Sunday, Bates scored 0.498 in his last 11 games and scored 7 times, with 43 (.189) on an 8-4 (.189). The idea of moving to the top might lead him to work harder, which wasn't completely eliminated, either, as Bets got an OBP of 0.265 in that five-step walk.
The changes may not be permanent, as manager Dave Roberts is still thinking about how best to configure the lineup. Coming toward third baseman Max Munchy is about to return – he could be back Monday after nearly five weeks of missing on his left knee.
“It's just trying to figure out what's the best short term,” Roberts said. “Long term, we'll be back soon. [Smith’s] Obviously, not playing catcher every day. …This is the best lineup today. This is where I am now. ”
Meanwhile, Ohtani entered Sunday's mixed results since advancing to a place in the roster (he led two games in Boston last weekend, while Bates left the team due to his family's death). Ohtani scored 12 shots with 49 (.245), five of which left the yard. But he also hit 24 times in 56 sets.
Ohtani's .983 OPS breaks off the lead, the best of all major leaguers, with at least 200 sets in the order. A Dodgers who have been ongoing inconsistency on the plate certainly have used his version over the past month.
“He's open to any willingness to help the team,” Roberts said. “But I do think that once you get into the batsman's box, you're in the batsman's box. Being the first batsman in the game might trigger something.”
The move to the lead is not expected to be a permanent change, but it did not lead to turnover. Although he has made better connections in recent days, it has not translated into results. Bates' .667 OPS would be the lowest in his 12-year major league career if it couldn't turn things around at the end of the season. Of the qualified Dodge batsmen, only Michael Conforto (.649) hits even lower.
If he continues to get stuck, then the Betts falling on the order is not a problem, and Roberts is trying to balance while trying to put his starting shortstop on the right space.
“I know he and the batting coach have been working hard, consistently, intentionally,” Roberts said. “I think the first thing, the simplest thing, is that it's a mechanical thing. So I think it's where he's in. But, I also believe it also has a psychological part, which is making him hit and lose, and I just want to continue instilling my faith and faith in him.”