Dodgers News: Max Muncy Will Be in Game Three Starting Lineup
With the right-hander Aaron Nola on the mound for the Phillies, Muncy will return to the starting lineup, per Dave Roberts
LOS ANGELES, CA—Notably absent from the Dodgers’ starting lineup in Games 1 and 2 of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies has been veteran third baseman Max Muncy.
That absence is by design, as the Phillies for the first two games of the series threw two tough left-handed starters in Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo.
Despite now being down 0-2 in the NLDS, Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed that right-hander Aaron Nola would get the ball in a do-or-die Game Three, which means Muncy will return to the lineup.
On the lineup against Aaron Nola, Roberts was direct. “It doesn’t do a whole lot outside of Max Muncy will be in the lineup,” he said. “Miguel Rojas won’t be in there. Then I’ve got to make the decision on Will versus Ben to start the game, but that has no bearing on who their starting pitcher is.”
The Dodgers have maintained transparency with Muncy, an everyday player in the Dodgers’ lineup, regarding his postseason role and playing time in certain matchups.
“I think right now, just the net sum, it gives us the best chance to win tonight. I felt the same way in Game One. We’ll see how tonight goes, but I’ve had conversations with Max every day, and he’s completely on board.”
This season, Muncy has posted his worst numbers against southpaws, hitting a collective .157/.250/.314 with a .564 OPS and 59 wRC+ this season, compared to a 157 wRC+ and .923 OPS versus right-handers.
Another tidbit from the media scrum yesterday was an update on Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman, who are each banged up with their own respective injuries.
Rojas, 36, tweaked his hamstring on the diving play at third base in Game Two, as the veteran infielder opted to race speedster Trea Turner to the third base bag, rather than go with a routine throw to first base for the putout.
Edman has been dealing with a lingering right ankle injury all season, which the team has managed throughout October, getting him off his feet whenever they can.
Whether these two are ready for Game Three or the rest of the series is not a significant issue, according to Dave Roberts, as the team has Kiké Hernández and Hyeseong Kim on standby if needed.
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