LOS ANGELES ― Dating to their early days in Brooklyn, eight different players in the history of the Dodgers franchise have led the National League in stolen bases.
Trea Turner has a chance to become the ninth. He swiped his NL-leading 32nd base Tuesday night, and it was among the most challenging. Yu Darvish picked him off second base but Turner sped to third base to avoid a tag and get credit for the steal.
“I got lucky there, but that’s gonna happen when you’re stealing bases,” Turner said. “You’re expected to steal and be safe but sometimes the other team makes a play on you.”
The Dodgers’ last stolen bases champion was Dee Strange-Gordon, who swiped 64 bags in 2014. He’s the only Dodger to lead the league in the category in the last 45 years.
It’s a reflection of the changing strategy league-wide around the stolen base. Teams prize efficiency rather than volume from their base stealers. Fortunately for the Dodgers, Turner excels in both categories. His 89 percent success rate is the highest among qualified base stealers.
Roberts said Turner might be the best base stealer he’s managed in six seasons in Los Angeles.
“He’s certainly one of the fastest guys in all of baseball,” Roberts said. “He picks his spots. An encouragement from me is to be a little bit more aggressive because I don’t think he realizes how fast he really is. Even if he’s at first base he creates tension to the opposing pitcher and defense.”
Literally or figuratively, Turner is unlikely to be caught in the final three days of the regular season. St. Louis Cardinals infielder Tommy Edman ranks second in the NL with 28 stolen bases.
ROTATION PLANS
Clayton Kershaw will start Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers, followed by Tony Gonsolin on Saturday. Walker Buehler is lined up to start Sunday, but the Dodgers might give him an extra day of rest in case of a potential Game 163 tiebreaker on Monday in San Francisco.
“We haven’t made that decision,” Roberts said. “Walker’s expecting to pitch Sunday, but the ultimate goal is to win the World Series. If we have to read and react to increase our chances to do that, we’ll do so.”
It’s unclear who would start Sunday if Buehler isn’t available. The Dodgers awoke Wednesday trailing the San Francisco Giants by two games in the National League West standings.
To force a Game 163, the two teams would need to finish the regular season with identical records. The Padres visit San Francisco for three games beginning Friday.
Buehler started and won a memorable Game 163 on the final day of the 2018 regular season, a shutout victory over the Colorado Rockies, that clinched the division title for the Dodgers.
ALSO
Albert Pujols was activated from the injured list after just one day. The first baseman was placed on the IL on Tuesday after reporting side effects from his second COVID-19 vaccination. … Pitcher Andrew Vasquez was optioned in a corresponding roster move. … Chris Taylor started at third base on a day off for Justin Turner. … Outfielder Cody Bellinger will be in the starting lineup Thursday with right-hander Vince Velasquez on the mound for the Padres, Roberts said. It will be Bellinger’s first start since Sept. 17.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Tony Gonsolin, 4-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. San Diego (RHP Vince Velasquez, 3-8, 6.22 ERA), Thursday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, MLB Network, 570 AM
