Dodgers: Chris Taylor Will Get the Postseason Starts at Second, Not Gavin Lux
It’s been a weird and difficult season for top prospect Gavin Lux. After a slow start at Summer Camp, he was sent back to the alternate site for most of the year. The Dodgers just recalled him at the end of August, and since then has received just 16 starts.
Most Dodgers fans anticipated Gavin Lux at second base every day in 2020. He was supposed to be the anchor for a position that has historically been a revolving door in Los Angeles. But from what it sounds like, Dave Roberts isn’t ready to give him postseason starts.
Roberts isn't quite ready to commit to a second baseman for the postseason, but immediately followed that up with saying that he could see Chris Taylor there a lot.
He also doesn't see Gavin Lux making starts in October.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) September 26, 2020
Roberts had previously heaped praise on Chris Taylor, who has been excellent over the final stretch of the season. Doc went so far as to mention him in the Dodgers team MVP talk.
I do love CT, and he’s one of my favorite players. Honestly, when you’re talking about MVPs for our club, he is right there in the mix. I know Mookie gets a lot of notoriety, but with what he does for our club, how he makes my job easy — MVP, he should be there every year on our club.- Dave Roberts
Looking at both bodies of work for the 2020 season, it’s easy to understand why the Dodgers would lean towards CT. Taylor has had a great season overall, but he’s really caught fire in September. In 20 games, Taylor is slashing .315/.398/.671 with an OPS of 1.069 and 13 extra-base hits. That also includes a sudden burst in power with 6 homeruns in September.
Gavin Lux has had almost the exact opposite month and season. In 50 at-bats in September, Lux has struck out 28 percent of the time and has put up a .180 batting average. He’s also managed just a .648 OPS with 4 extra-base hits. The Dodgers have quickly moved away from utilizing him in starting roles this month, already signaling what his postseason role will likely be.
Regardless, having Lux’s bat off of the bench in October could prove to be huge if he can find his groove.
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Taylor has playoff experience and is a better fielder. Lux needs to figure out his offensive problems. He looks absolutely lost during many of his at-bats.
Lux will be 23 in November. He is very young with little professional experience. Taylor is 30 and has played in the playoffs and World Series.
Taylor has been exceptional lately at-bat.
I would also go with Taylor. I would think about dropping Lux from the playoff roster and going with McKinstry as he is making consistent contact and has more flexibility as far as positions he can play.
McKinstry has a poor average (batting) in the minor whereas Lux has excellant stats and showed last year when he came up-he deserved to be there! Unfortunately this year everything is out of whack so hopefuly next year he will get the chance to play on a regular basis, with Kiki becoming a free agent and definitely keep him on the roster!!
Whats fair is fair..I do agree that Chris Taylor has been exceptional!! But not to take anything away from Gavin Lux..he is a very good ball player.He will find his way to a regular spot on the rooster..dont give up Gavin!! You have so much potential and you gotta believe in yourself!! We are rooting for you Gavin.You are a Los Angeles Dodger and you Always will be!!
Hey what do you know the geniuses actually learned a lesson for once.
DO NOT FOREGET KIKA, HAS PLAYED 2ND WELL AS MANY OTHER POSITIONS, EVEN 1ST .AFTER LUX ACTIONS ,REPORTING LATE FOR WHAT REASON, HEAD GOT TO BIG. 2ND BASE TO C.T. OR KAKI PERIOD,LUX STAYS ON THE BENCH. D.R. SET MUNCY DOWN,YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS LONG TIME AGO,NOT HITTING,GLOVE NOT GOOD ,ARM NOT GOOD.RIOS LOOKING GOOD,SO WHERE TO PLAY MUNCY, CAN NOT FIT IN OUTFIELD,BETTER PLAYERS FOR INFIELD,BETTER HITTERS ON THE BENCH. WAKE UP D.R.,TRADE MUNCY WHILE HE HAS VALUE. WHATS UP? LADY WALKING AROUND DUGOUT FRI.NITE.
Slow down this virus has affected everybody, mentally and physically, many people were afraid to leave their homes,so give the kid a break! Also it;s Kiki not KIKA ! Muncy like Bellinger has been streaky, but where would they be without them!!
LUX NOT THE HOT SHOT D.R. & A.F. THOUGH HE WAS,
Lux is only 23 and this is a stressful year for everybody,he has played excellantly in the minors and did good when called up last season! The backup camp is not like playing against other teams(Major or Minor league), so it’s not like a callup to the majors after you have been playing regularly !! Remember Verdugo had excelled in triple AAA for two years and when he finally came up he showed he was the real deal( I believe he will excel in Boston and be their leadoff hitter for years to come). So give the kid a break I believe he will bloom just has Verdugo did !!
Obvious move. Go with the guy who can actually hit the ball.
What? Really? Roberts finally making an obvious decision? Oh wait. Let’s let Lux leadoff. Oh no how about playing Mookie at 2nd? Let’s just move Seaver to 2nd and pick up Lindor.
While he’s been good, 2nd base isn’t the position for Taylor. If muncy is still going to play 1st in the postseason with the way he’s played in this short season, then I rather see kike at 2nd. Taylor at SS or outfield.