The Dodgers have loaded their lineup with right-handed bats for Tuesday’s NLDS Game 4 as they try to stave off elimination against Mets rookie left-hander Steven Matz.
Most notable among the adjustments: Yasiel Puig, the one-time phenom who sputtered through a mediocre season and has been sidelined by a hamstring injury, gets the start in right field, batting sixth.
Puig finished the regular season with a lackluster slash line of .255/.322/.436 in 79 games, and has struck out twice in two Division Series at-bats as a pinch-hitter.
And still no Chase Utley. The veteran second baseman, eligible to play with the appeal of his two-game suspension for breaking Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada’s leg on a takeout slide scheduled for next week, remains on the bench with Howie Kendrick getting another start.