Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — Following the Dodgers’ 3–0 shutout of the Cubs on Friday night, Tommy Edman stayed humble about his recent power surge — even as he finds himself atop the league leaderboard in home runs alongside names like Aaron Judge, Mike Trout, and Kyle Schwarber.
“It’s kind of funny,” Edman said with a smile. “A lot of guys that kind of look the same, and then there’s me.”
Edman’s fifth-inning blast off Cubs starter Matthew Boyd traveled 423 feet into the left-field seats, providing a much-needed jolt for the Dodgers’ offense. But Edman insists he’s not swinging for the fences.
“I’m really not trying to hit homers,” he said. “It’s just kind of a side result of putting in good work in the cage and having a better plan at the plate.”
Rather than focusing on power, Edman said he’s concentrating on a consistent approach and staying locked in on his mechanics. He emphasized being aware of his swing and making quick adjustments when things feel off.
“I’m constantly making tweaks, finding new cues that help,” he explained. “I try to go back and watch my good swings when I feel off — just get in the cage and make adjustments so I don’t fall off for too long.”
Asked if he was sitting on the changeup that he crushed for the home run, Edman said it wasn’t about guessing pitches — it was about sticking to his plan.
“I was thinking right-center approach,” he said. “That allowed me to stay on the changeup. Wasn’t trying to yank a heater or anything — just stayed through it.”
Edman also had a key defensive play, ranging to his left to field a slow grounder and throw out a runner at first. “It was hit slow enough where I thought I had a chance,” he said. “Just tried to stay under control and make a clean throw.”
Of course, he wasn’t the only Dodger making noise. Edman reserved high praise for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw six shutout innings with nine strikeouts.
“He’s unreal,” Edman said. “I’m kind of in awe of how well he executes. He dots the outside corner, then drops the splitter — I don’t know how you’d hit that. He’s been lights out and our best pitcher this year. It’s fun to watch.”
So far, the Dodgers’ success has ridden on the arms of their starters and the timely swings of players like Edman. And though he downplays the long ball, he knows he’s off to a special start.
“We’ll see how long I can keep it up,” he said. “But right now, it’s just staying with what works.”
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