Even with a three-week stretch of losses, the Los Angeles Dodgers pace the Majors with a 96-53 record. They lead the Washington Nationals by six games and are likely to retain home-field advantage at least through the National League playoffs.
In a season that’s seen Andrew Toles suffer a torn ACL and Adrian Gonzalez need to go on the disabled list because of herniated discs in his back, the Dodgers may shudder to think where they’d be without Cody Bellinger. Injuries and a lack of production in the outfield led to his joining the team in April.
It was initially expected Bellinger would soon after return to Triple-A Oklahoma City. But with Gonzalez going on the DL, it created an opportunity at first base. Bellinger took advantage and has been a mainstay in the lineup.
The whirlwind of a season has been far more than the rookie expected, as Bellinger was simply hoping to join the team once active rosters expanded in September, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“A September callup,” he said with a modest laugh. “That was the goal in spring training. Obviously I wanted to be up here earlier. But to be honest, the team that we had I just didn’t think there was a chance. Everything else that came this year has been crazy.”
Aside from a stint on the 10-day disabled list due to a sprained ankle, Bellinger has been in the lineup regardless of the handedness of the opposing starting pitcher. On Saturday, he tied an NL rookie record with 38 home runs.
Bellinger previously broke Mike Piazza’s Dodgers rookie record for most home runs in a season when he clubbed his 36th. Of his homers, 12 have come off a left-handed pitcher. That’s most in the Majors among left-handed batters.
A prolific first half led to Bellinger earning a spot in this year’s Home Run Derby and All-Star Game. He became the first Dodgers position player to make the Midsummer Classic in his first season in the Majors.
