Dodgers' Dave Roberts says Kyle Tucker, Freddie Freeman decision is permanent moving forward
TL;DR
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that the decision regarding Kyle Tucker and Freddie Freeman is permanent moving forward. The team is currently facing lineup challenges as they strive to avoid being swept by the Giants.
Key points
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed a permanent decision on Tucker and Freeman
- Dodgers are trying to avoid being swept by the Giants
- Kyle Tucker is struggling at the plate, trying to do too much
Dodgers' Dave Roberts says Kyle Tucker, Freddie Freeman decision is permanent moving forward originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are trying to avoid getting swept by NL West rival San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers lost the first two games of the series and even watched Shohei Ohtani’s on-base streak come to an end after going 0-for-4 on Wednesday night.
“Shohei Ohtani's on-base streak is in danger tonight. He is 0 for 3 with two weak ground outs and a K. Since resuming pitching last season, he has hit .203 (13 for 64) on days when he pitches,” Dodgers beat writer Bill Plunkett posted.
The Dodgers are dealing with some lineup issues, with several players not producing at the level they expected. One name in particular is Kyle Tucker, who was the biggest signing for the Dodgers this offseason. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes he is trying to do too much at the plate.
“He’s getting out of his zone, I see. He’s not a guy who typically chases down below, but he’s chasing a lot more down below for me,” Roberts said. “Typically when guys chase, they’re trying to do a little bit too much.”
LA has one of the best lineups in all of baseball, but sometimes there is a need to shuffle things around slightly. On Thursday, Roberts made the decision to flip Freddie Freeman and Tucker in the lineup, a move he will stick with for the foreseeable future.
“Dave Roberts said he’s going to stick with Freddie Freeman batting second and Kyle Tucker batting fourth for the foreseeable future. He felt Tucker was still trying to do too much/looking indecisive with his swing decisions, so wanted to “give him a different look” in order,” Dodgers beat writer Jack Harris wrote.
The Dodgers are going to do whatever it takes to avoid getting swept by the Giants, and Tucker may be more comfortable hitting in the middle of the lineup. Freeman has often occupied the two-hole for LA, so Roberts is leaning on familiarity.
It is early in the season, which is when teams are still trying to find their best lineup combinations. This move for the Dodgers could help them get back to playing an exciting brand of baseball.
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Q&A
What did Dave Roberts say about Kyle Tucker's performance?
Dave Roberts indicated that Kyle Tucker is trying to do too much at the plate, leading him to chase pitches outside his typical zone.
Why are the Dodgers struggling against the Giants?
The Dodgers have lost the first two games of the series against the Giants and are dealing with lineup issues, including underperforming players.
Is the decision regarding Kyle Tucker and Freddie Freeman temporary or permanent?
The decision regarding Kyle Tucker and Freddie Freeman is permanent, as stated by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
