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Los Angeles Dodgers: The massive impacts of getting Corey Seager back

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 05: Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes a throw to first for an out of Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 5, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 05: Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes a throw to first for an out of Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 5, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers /

2. A left-handed bat that does not struggle against left-handed pitching

One of the best signs of Seager’s spring training debut was the fact that he hit the near home run and the subsequent home run against a left-handed pitcher, Cole Hamels. The Dodgers are known for their power stroke but are also known for their power hitter’s struggles against left-handed pitching.

Machado did not have this problem so this is not something that Seager does that Machado didn’t. Machado is obviously right-handed and had virtually identical splits against both hands last season with the Baltimore Orioles and Dodgers.

However, it is nice knowing that the Dodgers can add another left-handed bat in the lineup that the team does not have to worry about platooning or moving down in the order against southpaws.

He is still worse against left-handed pitching but only marginally. Seager has a career .311 average and .893 OPS against right-handed pitching while owning a career .284 average and .810 OPS against southpaws.

This is huge for a team that had to run a “right-handed lineup” in the postseason last year that saw some of its best bats out of the lineup. Just like Machado and Turner was last season, Seager and Turner should be everyday players with occasional days off.

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