If the Dodgers were to reach the Fall Classic for the first time in 29 years, they’d have to overcome the obstacle of hitting southpaws. As a team this season, they have an abysmal .612 collective OPS against left-handed pitchers, after a league-worst .622 OPS in 2016. Their struggles have been well-documented so there’s no need to delve into them any deeper.
This problem stems mainly from having a left-heavy lineup. Thus, during the offseason, the front office traded for Logan Forsythe and signed veteran Franklin Gutierrez, in hopes of bolstering the balance of their lineup.