Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Talks JD Martinez Replacing Justin Turner in Lineup
So far, so good with the J.D. Martinez signing. He's just a couple at bats shy of qualifying for the NL's top slugging spot and has been nails for the Dodgers, especially since moving up to the cleanup spot. He's in the midst of a 14 game hitting streak where he's hit .333 with 11 extra base hits.
When he signed with the Dodgers, he was viewed as the indirect replacement for long-time LA legend Justin Turner. JD signed with LA one day before JT signed with Boston in an offseason free agent swap. Dave Roberts was asked about JD's role of essentially replacing Turner in the lineup (the reporter's question, not my narrative) and had this to say.
"He's been perfect. It's really hard to replace a guy like Justin, but to have a guy in there that's a professional hitter -- that can hit righty, lefty -- it just makes more sense for a lineup."
Martinez really has been a perfect addition to the lineup. He adds a much needed fear factor for opposing pitchers and a hitting profile the lineup has been missing for a long time. Raw power.
It's not just JD getting it done, of course. Up and down the roster guys new and from last year's team are contributing.
"This lineup is potent," Martinez said after Tuesday's win, "before I even got here. It feels like there's four or five guys any given night that can hurt you. That can carry the load. And that's the biggest thing ... It could be Mookie, it could be Freddie, it could be Muncy, it could be J-Hey, it could be Outy, it could be anyone. CT. Peralta. Anybody. It just seems that someone seems to step up every night. It takes a lot of pressure off everyone else."
These are very different Dodgers than a season ago. Not in every way but in the way that seems to keep things fun and interesting on a nightly basis. And this lineup is potent indeed with LA leading the NL in runs scored by a wide margin (313 heading into Wednesday's game, ATL Braves are next at 278).
JD is no JT for the Dodgers, but he's doing a pretty good job filling in.
