Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Carl Crawford Explains Why Stolen Base Total So Low

When the Dodgers acquired Carl Crawford last summer, he was expected to be a top of the lineup presence and steal bases like his days with the Tampa Bay Rays.

However, Crawford hasn’t exactly been doing that at the rate he was in his earlier years as he has 13 steals after putting up multiple 50 stolen base seasons.



Talking to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times, Crawford explained why he hasn’t been stealing as much:

If we didn’t steal bases in Tampa, we didn’t win. We didn’t have this kind of lineup. You’ve got guys up and down the lineup that can drive you in. You don’t want to run into outs. You have to take that into consideration.

In his first full season with the Dodgers, Crawford is hitting .286 with five home runs and 25 RBIs as he’s batted in the lead off or second spot in the lineup for most of the season.

With the likes of Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez behind him, he’s scored 53 runs so far this season. Once Matt Kemp returns and there are four outfielders for three spots, manager Don Mattingly will have a tough decision about who to start.

While the stolen base hasn’t been a huge part of the Dodgers success this season, it’d be nice to see Crawford and even Puig steal some bases or Mattingly put more plays on.

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In case you missed it, be sure to find out more about Yasiel Puig’s benching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0j7vPiTokI

Ross Gasmer

Ross Gasmer is a Social Media Producer for @TheHerd and was a contributing writer and editor for Dodger Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Ross_Gasmer12

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