Dodgers: Should LA Consider a Lineup Change?
June has not been a kind month for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Following a 20-9 May, the team has stumbled to a 6-8 record this month. The biggest factor behind the gloom lies with the offense which has scored 2 or fewer runs in 7 of 14 games, including 2 shutouts.
Moreover, the offense is posting a paltry .228 average in June and an underwhelming .666 on-base-plus-slugging in 14 games.
Should the Dodgers change up the lineup? Leave Gavin Lux alone!
In a recent episode of Dodgers Nation’s Blue Heaven Podcast live show, we discussed a number of factors contributing to the offensive decay. At or near the top of the list are Justin Turner’s season-long struggles at the plate as well as Cody Bellinger’s continued poor production. Both players have on-base percentages well below .300.
June has also seen Mookie Betts fall off a cliff offensively and Freddie Freeman dealing with his fair share of trips back to the bench.
Select Player Stats in June (through 6/17)
- Betts: .193 BA, .523 OPS, 12 SO
- Freeman: .228 BA, .606 OPS, 16 SO
- J. Turner: .157, .422, 10 SO
- Bellinger: .180, .641 16 SO
Related: MLB Rule Change Could Have Terrible Consequences For LA
On the live stream, we took a look at Twitter for fans’ thoughts on a potential lineup change. One user really shook things up 1-9.
Turner
Lux
Betts
Freeman
Smith
Muncy
Turner
Bellinger
Taylor— Troy (@TheRaterpillar) June 13, 2022
Here we see the two guys in the lineup doing the most damage at the moment moved to the top of the order. Sure, in times of trouble the idea of shaking things up for the sake of shaking things up sounds great — particularly for the reactionary base of fans. But, that’s plainly not the way Dave Roberts and the Dodgers operate. LA firmly stands behind the steady wins the race approach. And for the greater part, that’s a proven strategy.
In the opinion of our Blue Heaven analysts, changing up the lineup isn’t the cure for these Dodgers. And, importantly, doing anything to mess with Gavin Lux in the order is a non-starter.
Every team struggles during the long 162 game season. And, worse comes to worse, there are only 12 games left in June.
NEXT: Roberts Will Not Bench Max Muncy Amid Struggles
