Yasiel Puig is stepping up this season in all the right places
By Keith Rivas
Yasiel Puig has shown that he’s ready to do plenty of damage this season.
After an opening series with San Diego, one thing is clear — Yasiel Puig is back. Questions were swirling early on as to whether or not he’d return to being that star the team fell in love with.
He answered — and he answered swiftly.
Puig already has three home runs, with two coming on Thursday. Los Angeles had no problem winning the series over San Diego, with the first game being decided by 11 runs.
Additionally, Puig is getting runs home. The Cuban slugger has 5 RBI to his credit as the Dodgers look to continue their hot start. Not only does he lead the team in both home runs and RBI, but also in on base percentage.
Thus far, he has an OBP of .563 to his credit.
First pitch @YasielPuig sees?
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 6, 2017
CRUSHED.
His 2-run home run in the second gives the #Dodgers a 2-0 lead! 👏 #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/qFI9bth9Bi
There was a battle for outfield positioning over the course of Spring Training, but all worked out in the end for Puig. It hasn’t been easy, but to see him back at the plate like this is wonderful.
Fellow division rival Colorado will host the Dodgers on Friday. In order for Puig’s emergence as a powerhouse to hold true, he’ll have to show he can do it for more than one series.
There’s plenty of emotions that pile into Opening Day, and the last thing the Dodgers want is for this to be the end of the great games for him. The Rockies are a dark horse, if anything, but that doesn’t mean the Dodgers can shrug them off.
This season is going to be a long one. For that reason, no team should be looked at as a sleeper in the NL West.
Next: 2017 NL West Predictions
Unless you’re the Padres, of course.