MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Even with three former MVPs at the top of their lineup, the Dodgers can’t expect them all to be hot at the same time.
But they probably won’t all be cold at the same time.
“I think that’s exactly the way to look at it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Obviously Mookie (Betts) started out on fire. Shohei (Ohtani) has caught fire lately and Freddie (Freeman) has just sort of been consistent as he always is. But he’ll catch fire at some point. He always does.”
Betts was hot indeed to start the season. He was 15 for his first 30 with five home runs in the first eight games. He has been more mortal since, going 5 for his past 24 (.208) through Wednesday without a home run in seven games.
Ohtani started 8 for 33 (.242) without a home run in his first eight games. He since has a seven-game hit streak, going 13 for 30 (.433) with nine extra-base hits (five doubles, a triple and three home runs).
Freeman might be the most unhappy .333 hitter in baseball, still not satisfied with his swing.
But through the first 15 games of the season, the Dodgers have yet to see all three go hitless in the same game.
“I think that could go on for months,” Roberts said with a smile. “Because these guys … Hitters hit. And you’re talking about essentially 15 at-bats in a particular game (for all three), 13 or 15 at-bats in a particular game. It’s hard to imagine they’d go 0 for 15.”
NO PATCHES
The Dodgers uniforms feature patches on both sleeves – the classic LA logo on one arm, a Guggenheim sponsorship patch on the other. Right-handed hitters wear the Guggenheim patch on their left arm, left-handed hitters on their right arm – so that it faces the center-field camera when they are hitting. Pitchers were the Guggenheim patch on their glove side.
Except Freeman on Tuesday.
Freeman wore a jersey with no patches on either sleeve. He was the only player without the patches.
The Dodgers first baseman didn’t realize it until he…
Read the full article here
