Chris Taylor has gotten off to the worst start of his career in 2024. The Dodgers utilityman only has one hit in 37 plate appearances and has struck out 17 times.
While the top of the order boasts the best OPS in baseball, it cannot mask Taylor’s struggles as of late. In a game on Friday against the San Diego Padres, Taylor led off the bottom of the 11th inning with the Dodgers needing to score a run to stay in the game.
Quite predictably, he popped up a Robert Suarez fastball into foul territory for the first out. The Dodgers would go on to lose the game eight to seven.
Having Taylor come up in that spot raised questions among the media and fans. Especially when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts opted to pinch-hit Kiké Hernández for James Outman and Miguel Rojas for Gavin Lux.
After the game, Roberts offered to the media the following explanation about batting Taylor in that spot,
He’s got to find his way. Chris has come up with big hits. So you’ve got to ride the guys, run them out there, and hopefully they find their way.
Dave Roberts via Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times
Roberts does have a point, Taylor has had some huge moments for the Dodgers. He has a career .800 OPS in the playoffs, highlighted by his walk-off home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2021 Wild Card game.
However, at this point in the season, it’s hard to watch Taylor walk up to the plate and struggle. He can’t seem to catch up to the fastball and only induces weak contact when he does connect with the ball. How much longer can the Dodgers give at-bats to someone who just is not producing?
Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
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