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Dodgers Turn to Hernández, Betts After Pages Injury
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- Dodgers Turn to Hernández, Betts After Pages Injury
Dodgers Turn to Hernández, Betts After Pages Injury
(© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a significant setback last week when Andy Pages fractured his left hand after being hit by a pitch from Pittsburgh Pirates starter Bubba Chandler on Friday.
Pages has since undergone what the Dodgers described as a minor procedure to insert a screw into his hand. He is expected to be sidelined for four to five weeks.
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The injury is particularly disappointing considering the season Pages was putting together.
He was on pace to establish career highs in doubles, home runs, RBIs and On-base Plus Slugging (OPS) percentage. His absence also removes an important right-handed bat from a Dodgers lineup that has recently struggled to receive consistent production from that side of the plate.
Hernández and Betts must step up
Manager Dave Roberts is consequently looking toward Teoscar Hernández and Mookie Betts to provide more offense while Pages recovers.
According to Dodger Blue , Roberts believes Los Angeles needs to get Hernández going. Although the manager has been pleased with the work Hernández is doing, that preparation has not consistently translated into results during games.
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Roberts is more encouraged by Betts, whom he believes is in a considerably better place offensively.
The need for both becomes particularly important when Los Angeles faces difficult left-handed pitching, with Pages unavailable to provide another right-handed threat.
"We got to get Teo going," Roberts said.
"I like his work; it just certainly hasn't translated to the field consistently. Mookie, I think that he's in a much better spot. Certainly, when you take on some left-handers, some tough lefties, you're going to need that production from those right-hand hitters too."
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Why Dodgers need more from Hernández, Betts
Hernández has played an important role in the Dodgers' recent success, but he is currently navigating a difficult stretch.
Hernández is hitting .229/.250/.371 with two doubles, one triple, two home runs and six RBIs in 70 at-bats over 21 games in August.
He has remained productive against left-handed pitching but recently acknowledged that improving against right-handers is a priority.
Hernández owns a .662 OPS against right-handed pitchers compared with a .783 OPS against southpaws.
Betts, meanwhile, has emerged as one of Los Angeles' most productive hitters this month.
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He is hitting .247/.299/.395 with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBIs in 81 at-bats across 22 games in August.
Betts believes the extensive work he has done behind the scenes is bringing him closer to correcting his swing.
His ability to make those adjustments is one of the qualities that has defined his career.
Betts combines exceptional preparation with an advanced understanding of his swing, allowing him to identify problems and work toward solutions rather than simply waiting for results to change.
Hernández brings a different type of offensive presence. His ability to damage mistakes and provide power from the right side can change the complexion of the Dodgers' lineup when he is producing consistently.
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Both players also bring extensive experience handling meaningful late-season games, as well as the postseason .
Pages' injury creates a significant hole, but Los Angeles still has accomplished hitters capable of absorbing some of that lost production.
With Pages potentially unavailable until late September, the Dodgers need Betts to maintain his recent improvement and Hernández to rediscover the offensive impact that has made him such an important part of their lineup.
