Dave Roberts Reveals More Insight Into Dodgers Lineup Construction for 2024
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will enter his ninth season at the helm. Although other seasons carried immense expectations, 2024 will undoubtedly take the cake in that category.
The Dodgers did not fool around this offseason, adding the best player in baseball, two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani will headline the Boys in Blue this season, bringing his hitting prowess to Los Angeles.
Ohtani won’t pitch this season, but he will hit. However, the big question around the team is in which order the Dodgers will construct their three stars at the top of the lineup.
We caught up with Roberts during DodgerFest, and he revealed the top three in the lineup. The order of Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman is still in the works. Roberts said that it may not be set in stone even after Opening Day.
Betts and Freeman have been in the top two in the order for the past two seasons. However, that could all change with bringing in Ohtani.
It’s been Betts at leading off and Freeman next up, but Ohtani usually bats second and has sometimes batted first. The top of the lineup could look a whole lot different. Nonetheless, these are champagne problems.
These three superstars could lead off for any other team in the league, and they all happen to play in Los Angeles now. Betts has hit leadoff for most of his career.
Last season, Betts had a career-high 12 leadoff homers and is a great option to leave him there. However, Freeman and Ohtani are more than worthy to bat leadoff.
It’s all about what the guys feel comfortable with and what works best for the team.
Photo Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
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I know I’m just a silly fan, but I like the idea of Freddie, with all his doubles, hitting 3rd and driving in Mookie and/or Ohtani.
For me it’s gotta be Mookie, Ohtani, Freeman. Freddie showed last year that he can have a career year hitting in front of Will Smith. So slide both of them down one slot and move Ohtani into the 2 spot and give him Freddie’s protection. Just imagine a pitcher having to pitch to Ohtani with Mookie on base (or already homering) knowing he still has Freddie and Will Smith to go through. Mookie, Ohtani, Freddie, Smith, Muncy, Hernandez, Outman, Heyward/Margot, Lux should be the lineup every single day as long as everybody is healthy. I really hope the Dodgers don’t try to get cute with this. It really should be very straightforward.