DODGERS UPDATE: 3 Key Players Have Recovered From Injury And Will Feature In The Playoffs
The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the midst of a division race. The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are threatening to dethrone the Dodgers as National League West champions. To hold them off, they will require breakout Septembers from numerous depth pieces.
Max Muncy must surge after return from injury
Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy has been limited to just 48 games this season due to injuries. However, with his oblique issue now behind him, Muncy has returned strong, hitting .250 with two home runs and three doubles in seven games since coming back on August 19. Enrique Hernandez filled in during Muncy’s absence, batting .217 over 102 games.
Muncy is poised to make significant strides in September. As he shakes off the rust, he has the potential to return to his usual form, a consistent 20-home run hitter with an OPS+ over 100 in six of the past seven seasons. With Freddie Freeman recently sidelined, Muncy is set to step into the heart of the lineup, aiming to lead the Dodgers to a division title.
Gavin Stone will lead Dodgers’ rotation
The Dodgers’ pitching staff has faced significant challenges this year, with injuries sidelining key starters like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Clayton Kershaw, leaving them without the star aces they anticipated. In their absence, Gavin Stone has emerged as a reliable option, quietly accumulating 11 wins and posting a 3.33 ERA in a team-leading 24 starts.
Stone has the potential to continue his strong performance in September, especially as the division race draws more attention to the Dodgers. This could elevate his profile, making him a more recognized name by the time the playoffs arrive. While he may not be heavily relied upon in the postseason due to the star power ahead of him, he could see additional opportunities in the final month of the regular season.
Tommy Edman becomes a Hollywood star
A trade deadline acquisition could play a pivotal role for the Dodgers in the playoffs. Tommy Edman, who joined the team from the St. Louis Cardinals, has already started to make his presence felt. In seven games split between center field and shortstop, Edman is hitting .231, with one of his six hits being a triple in Tuesday’s game against the Orioles, showcasing his potential as a breakout candidate.
Edman adds a speed dimension that the Dodgers have largely lacked. Aside from Ohtani and Betts, who are the only Dodgers with over ten steals this season, Edman stands out with his track record of over 27 steals in each of the last three seasons. If he can consistently get on base, he brings a unique element that no other depth player on the roster offers. Additionally, Edman was a Gold Glove winner at second base in 2021, a position where Gavin Lux has struggled this season.
As the Dodgers push for an NL West title, all eyes will be on their stars in Hollywood this September. To make a serious run at their fourth World Series appearance in the last decade, Max Muncy, Gavin Stone, and Tommy Edman will need to step up and become breakout stars in September and October.