Los Angeles Dodgers: What it will take to win Game 3
By Jason Reed
2. A big day is needed out of the left-handed power bats
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a better team while facing a right-handed pitcher, that is without a doubt. Despite roughing up Chris Sale in Game 1, facing two southpaws hurt the Dodgers and forced the left-handed power-hitting bats ot come in off the bench late in games against hot relief arms.
If the Dodgers are hoping to win in Game 3, the team needs a big day out of the left-handed power bats. It has become clear: the Dodgers need to outslug the Red Sox and Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Joc Pederson and potentially even Yasmani Grandal need to deliver.
At least two of these bats need to have a big game. We need to see the two-out walked turned into a two-out home run that we have seen from Bellinger and Muncy all season. A lead-off jack from Pederson would be huge. Grandal always seems to come up in big spots, he is due to deliver in one.
While Justin Turner and Manny Machado still play a pivotal role in the offense, it will be the power-hitting left-handed bats that make the difference.
Opposing teams have done a great job of limiting Turner and Machado’s power and for the most part have limited the two to singles. That is when it will turn over to Bellinger and Muncy and when the Dodgers cannot fail to capitalize.