In part due to injuries keeping him out of the lineup throughout various points this season, Cody Bellinger struggled at the plate and twice was due to start filling a platoon role in center field.
However, injuries to Mookie Betts and Chris Taylor kept Bellinger in the lineup on a more regular basis, and he started in center field for the National League Wild Card Game. Coming off an effort in which the former NL MVP went 1-for-2 with two walks and two stolen bases, Bellinger is due to receive more starts during the NL Division Series.
“I think that this ballpark, obviously you got to have a guy that can cover the grass out there and,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Oracle Park. “I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t start all three games in center field.”
The Dodgers and San Francisco Giants open the NLDS with Game 1 on Friday, and Game 2 is set for Saturday. Should the teams go the distance in the series, the NLDS would return to Oracle Park for Game 5 on Thursday, Oct. 14.
As for Game 3, it’s plausible — if not likely — Bellinger could shift to a bench role if the Giants move forward with probable starter Alex Wood.
While Bellinger certainly struggled overall in 2021, he hit just .116/.208/.174 with one triple, one home run, four RBI, 10 walks and 20 strikeouts over 86 at-bats against southpaws.
Of course, Bellinger’s key walk that kept the ninth inning alive for Chris Taylor to hit a walk-off home run came against St. Louis Cardinals left-handed relief pitcher T.J. McFarland.
Bellinger focused on postseason
Having previously said confidence wasn’t an issue and a focus was on the future, Bellinger reiterated that mindset following the Wild Card Game.
“I think at this point it’s time to forget the season and just move on to postseason and try to help this team win in any way you can; offense, defense, baserunning,” he said.”There’s a lot more aspects to the game. I feel good and I’m feeling healthy.
“Any way I can impact the game, I’m trying to impact it.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
