Not 10 minutes before Friday’s first pitch in the National League division series, Justin Turner and Chase Utley stretched along Nationals Park’s left-field foul line. Curious, Turner queried the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter about his plan against Washington ace Max Scherzer.
“I’m not going to swing at the first pitch, if that’s what you’re asking,” Utley told him. “But if I get to 1-0, I’m going to be aggressive.”
Utley did as promised. Without flinching, he watched a fastball travel past him, through the heart of the strike zone.