Dodgers rolling despite Adrian Gonzalez and Justin Turner slumping
Third baseman Justin Turner, left, and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez haven’t had much to celebrate recently, other than the Dodgers continuing their winning ways as they have slumped.
The Dodgers have been rolling of late, pulling away from the Giants, the team seemingly coming together.
Wednesday’s loss aside, they have been playing their best baseball of the season and resembling the team that’s been expected since their record payroll was put together. The Dodgers have won 13 of their last 16 games, but there is something odd to their run.
They’ve largely pulled it off without great contribution from their top two hitters -- Adrian Gonzalez and Justin Turner.
Both players are in their worst slumps of the season. Since Aug. 16, Gonzalez is hitting .185 (15 for 81) and Turner .143 (11 for 77). Their full slash lines don’t look any better -- Gonzalez at .185/.295/.296 and Turner at .143/.256/.221.
On most nights, these are the Dodgers’ No. 3 and No. 4 hitters. And they’re not hitting, not hitting anything like they have most of the season.
Gonzalez leads the team with 82 RBI, and Turner is second at 52. Of the normal starters, Gonzalez leads the team with a .491 slugging percentage and Turner is right behind at .491.
They have been at the heart of the offense all season, yet now that the Dodgers are at their best, their production has wilted.
It doesn’t make sense, but again demonstrates how much baseball is a team sport. Certainly their contributions on the field are still felt, but no one could have foreseen the Dodgers going on their best run of the season while the heart of their lineup was so lifeless.
Twitter: @stevedilbeck
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