MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Even with three former MVPs at the top of their lineup, the Dodgers can’t expect them all to be hot at the same time.
But they probably won’t all be cold at the same time.
“I think that’s exactly the way to look at it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Obviously Mookie (Betts) started out on fire. Shohei (Ohtani) has caught fire lately and Freddie (Freeman) has just sort of been consistent as he always is. But he’ll catch fire at some point. He always does.”
Betts was hot indeed to start the season. He was 15 for his first 30 with five home runs in the first eight games. He has been more mortal since, going 5 for his past 24 (.208) through Wednesday without a home run in seven games.
Ohtani started 8 for 33 (.242) without a home run in his first eight games. He since has a seven-game hit streak, going 13 for 30 (.433) with nine extra-base hits (five doubles, a triple and three home runs).
Freeman might be the most unhappy .333 hitter in baseball, still not satisfied with his swing.
But through the first 15 games of the season, the Dodgers have yet to see all three go hitless in the same game.
“I think that could go on for months,” Roberts said with a smile. “Because these guys … Hitters hit. And you’re talking about essentially 15 at-bats in a particular game (for all three), 13 or 15 at-bats in a particular game. It’s hard to imagine they’d go 0 for 15.”
NO PATCHES
The Dodgers uniforms feature patches on both sleeves – the classic LA logo on one arm, a Guggenheim sponsorship patch on the other. Right-handed hitters wear the Guggenheim patch on their left arm, left-handed hitters on their right arm – so that it faces the center-field camera when they are hitting. Pitchers were the Guggenheim patch on their glove side.
Except Freeman on Tuesday.
Freeman wore a jersey with no patches on either sleeve. He was the only player without the patches.
The Dodgers first baseman didn’t realize it until he was asked about it in the clubhouse before Wednesday’s game. He reached into his locker and checked the jersey to make sure.
“That must be why I struck out three times (in Tuesday’s game),” Freeman joked.
The clubhouse staff had no explanation for the oversight. Sometimes players are given jerseys to sign (for charity, other players, etc.). It’s possible that one of those was placed in Freeman’s locker and he inadvertently wore it in the game.
Freeman wore a jersey with both patches in Wednesday’s game.
TEN-YEAR TENURE
Veteran left-hander James Paxton reached 10 years of major-league service time Tuesday. His teammates recognized the achievement – which brings with it a certain level of pension benefits – with a champagne toast after the game.
“We’ve got a few more 10-year anniversaries for guys this year,” Roberts said. Betts, Blake Treinen, Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernandez are all in line to reach 10 years of service time this season.
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“It was just understanding that, you know, to get to the big leagues is one thing. But to stick around for 10 years is a whole other level. And it comes with a lot. Some positives, some highs, a lot of lows, and in his case injuries with various ball clubs. … You have to celebrate certain moments in this game that can be so tough on each individual.”
UP NEXT
The Dodgers are off Thursday.
Padres (RHP Michael King, 2-0, 3.14 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 1-1, 4.09 ERA), 7:10 p.m. PT Friday, SportsNet LA, MLB Network, 570 AM