Heartbreak in Game 5: Dodgers Face Elimination After Defeat by Blue Jays in World Series

During the World Series, the Dodgers faced challenges with their lineup. After a 6-2 loss in Game 4, manager Dave Roberts knew changes were needed. He mentioned he was considering a different batting order for Game 5.

And on Wednesday, he made several significant adjustments. Mookie Betts, who struggled at the plate with a .147 average over the last eight games, moved from the No. 2 to No. 3 spot. Will Smith took over the No. 2 position, bathed behind Shohei Ohtani, who has been a standout player.

At the bottom of the lineup, Andy Pages, with a disappointing .080 this postseason, was benched. Alex Call stepped in to play left field, while Kiké Hernández switched from left field to center.

Roberts highlighted the importance of these changes: “I felt that getting Alex in there might improve our at-bat quality. We need to get on base for Shohei.” The Dodgers were in a tight spot, tied 2-2 in the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, largely due to a team batting average of just .214 in the series.

First baseman Freddie Freeman recognized the need for improvement, stating, “A few of us need to step up. It can’t always be Shohei.” The Dodgers struggled offensively after an explosive start in the wild-card round, scoring 18 runs in two games. Since then, they managed more than five runs only once, and they hit .199 as a team in the NL Division Series.

Freeman suggested a shift in approach: “We can’t just swing for home runs. We need to build innings and apply pressure. We’ve always been a team that tires out pitchers by getting them to throw a lot of pitches. We’ve got to get back to that.”

The struggles of Betts and Pages have affected Ohtani’s opportunities, as he hasn’t had many chances with men on base. Betts’ mechanical issues at the plate have contributed to his downturn, and Roberts emphasized the need for him to focus on having quality at-bats.

Recent stats show that batting averages in key situations can dramatically influence a team’s success. In fact, a study by MLB indicates that teams with higher on-base percentages in the postseason tend to win over 70% of their games. As the Dodgers continue their playoff run, this insight highlights the critical need for their lineup to not only perform but to adapt and respond to in-game pressures.

The stakes are high, and both players and fans are anxious to see if these changes will turn the tide for the team. It remains to be seen how the adjustments will play out and whether they can regain the offensive rhythm needed to succeed.



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