Dodgers World Series: Justin Turner Points to Changes Made and Locking in at the Plate
The narrative of postseason JT has been an easy one to land on for media each year as the Dodgers make another trip into October play. Usually, Justin Turner is a lock to lead the team on offense throughout the playoffs, but don’t look now… he hasn’t been all that great for a good stretch.
Despite moving into first place or tying for first place in a number of franchise playoff stats on Friday night, JT admits he hasn’t been great this October. Heading into World Series game 3, the veteran had an average of .216 with an OPS only .681 during the 2020 postseason. Moreover, dating back to game 5 of the 2018 World Series, Turner had been mired in an extended 20 game slump, batting only .227 over that stretch.
However, on Friday, the third baseman pointed to some changes made ahead of game 3 that had him feeling a whole lot better at the plate.
I’ve been grinding away and working with our hitting guys to try and get good feels and finally tonight I feel like I put together 5 good at-bats for the first time. … I feel like I landed on something that should be sustainable.
I’ll sleep a little better tonight and hopefully show up tomorrow and keep working on it and try to hone it.
Turner looked a little different right off the bat — literally and figuratively. His first AB versus Charlie Morton a rocket for a home run to left-center. In his second plate appearance, he rifled one down the line for a double that set up a key 2-out rally in the eventual 6-2 win.
It’s cliché season for JT and the Dodgers… one game at a time. But if they win two, well, the job’s done.
NEXT: Justin Turner Became a Dodger GOAT on Friday
JT is a home town guy. Everyone loves an underdog and JT was cut by the Mets and picked up by the Dodgers. He has been one of their best players and clubhouse leaders. I hope he gets a WS ring he certainly deserves it. JT is a free agent this year. I hope the Dodgers sign him for a year but no more than two years as he has had some physical challenges
The Dodgers have Rios and other players in development to play 3rd.
I love the DH! I use to think the NL should not implement the DH but I have changed my mind. Pitchers are too valuable to risk at bat and on the basepaths and the DH adds extra offense which baseball definitely needs. I am hoping the League decides to keep it as it helps a team like the Dodgers that has so much depth and allows older players or players with injury to continue to play.
Re-sign JT. Get rid of the DH. JT has looked great defensively as well as offensively in this postseason. Just let him play third base. Muncy to second and JT to first is an option for next season, but I just don’t think it’s needed. When JT is healthy he handles the 3 bag capably. Let him come back for multiple rings.
JT is a class act of a player. That’s why he’s always getting hit, they don’t want him to hit. Learn from the master of bat.