As the playoffs approached in 2017, Austin Barnes supplanted Yasmani Grandal as the Dodgers’ starting catcher. A season later, the roles have reversed, even more notably. Grandal has overtaken Barnes as the primary catcher against even left-handed pitchers, earning a start Thursday night against Colorado Rockies left-hander Tyler Anderson.
“He’s our starting catcher,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “We’ve got to get him in there.”
Granal entered the game with a .676 on-base plus slugging percentage against left-handed pitchers, as compared to a .910 OPS against right-handed pitchers.