GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dave Roberts is confident the storm has passed.
Last year, Roberts’ Dodgers ranked last in the majors in batting average (.213), on-base percentage (.290) and slugging percentage (.332) against left-handed pitching.
“It was kind of a perfect storm last year,” Roberts said, explaining the struggles.
Right-handed hitters who were counted on to play against left-handed pitching (Trayce Thompson and Scott Van Slyke) wound up on the DL for half of the season. Others like Kike’ Hernandez (a .189 average vs. lefties) and Justin Turner (.209) “had career lows against left-handed pitching,” Roberts pointed out.