The Dodgers Aren't Trying to Hit Home Runs, They Just Keep Happening

The Dodgers are just 12-11 through 23 games this season but lead the National League in home runs (43) and slugging percentage (.460). 17 of the team's 22 runs scored in the recently completed series against the Cubs came on home runs.

As the saying goes, if you want the dub, you've got to slug. But there comes a point where perhaps a team is just a bit too reliant on home runs to score. And that's how it feels at times with these Dodgers.

But, that's not necessarily the game plan. Dave Roberts recently addressed the team's reliance on the long ball. In his view, there are more clubs in the bag, to borrow from the golf world for a second. The roster was built with that in mind.

“When we put together this ballclub, we felt that the average -- that the hit tool, was going to play a little bit more than it has and maybe kind of cut into the homers."

National League Player of the Week, Max Muncy, sees the surge of home runs as a byproduct of good swings by good players.

“We have a lot of guys with good swings and when you’re able to put the barrel on the ball, good things will happen. That’s all we’re focused on doing. Just get the barrel to the ball.”

Unfortunately, the Dodgers will be without Muncy in the lineup during the upcoming series in Pittsburgh. The slugger will be away on paternity leave. But Mookie Betts will be in the lineup. And in his mind, he'll take the wins as they come.

“Obviously you don’t want to live and die by [the home run], but right now it’s helping us stay afloat. I don’t know if we’re out there trying to hit homers, but they’re going over the fence. So we’ll take them as we can get them.”

Again, the Dodgers lead the NL in home runs with 43 so far. They're also 14th out of 15 teams in batting average (.229) and total hits with 172. 82 of the club's 172 hits have gone for extra bases.

A few more singles would go a long way for LA.

“I do think that the ability to hit for average is going to happen for our ballclub,” Roberts added.

The Dodgers will face three right-handed pitchers against the Pirates this week. They're hitting a much more respectable .248 vs RHPs this season (compared to .174 vs LHPs, which is dead last in baseball). It's a good time to get right.