Los Angeles Dodgers: Bold predictions for Cody Bellinger in 2019
By Jason Reed
1. Cody Bellinger plays in 162 games
In today’s day in age, especially on the Los Angeles Dodgers, playing 162 games in a season is no small feat. However, for those with a keen eye, you would know that Bellinger actually played in 162 games last season, so this is not something that he has never done.
Bellinger didn’t get the honors of playing in every single game played as the Dodgers played 163 games due to the National League West tiebreaker. His only day off? June 15 against the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers won.
Bellinger did not start all 162 games either. He actually only started 135 games, coming in as either a pinch hitter or a defensive sub in 27 games.
Bellinger will not only play in 162 games but he will not be used as a platoon piece and will start most of his appearances. Of course, he is still going to get his routine days off where he does not start (but still plays) but not the left-handed split that we all expect.
I’d put the number around 150-155 games started for Bellinger with him appearing in all 162 games. When you have power like that on the bench why wouldn’t Dave Roberts use it every day?