Pederson makes case for playoffs with HR

LOS ANGELES -- Those questioning why the Dodgers still write Joc Pederson’s name and .185 batting average into the starting lineup got the answer Saturday night, when his two-run home run helped secure a 7-6 win over the Angels at Dodger Stadium, where the clubs had to endure a 35-minute delay in the seventh inning because of a power failure.

In the toughest year of an up-and-down career, there are two constants with the outfielder: He can slug right-handed pitching, and he’s clutch in October.

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Slugging is a ubiquitous commodity these days, but clutch in October is priceless. So, hoping to jump-start Pederson for game-changing moments like his opposite-field liner into the box seats on an 0-2 pitch Saturday night, Dave Roberts continues to play him, even if the Dodgers’ manager won’t commit to a postseason role.

“Joc has earned that because of his performance in the postseason,” Roberts said before Saturday’s game. “Like with everyone, it’s been a unique year. And Joc’s had some things that he’s kind of dealt with off the field that certainly occupy his mind at times, and rightfully so.”

This month Pederson missed time on the paternity list and then on a family medical emergency list. While no details have been provided for privacy reasons, Pederson obviously has had distractions.

“So, I just want to give him every opportunity to get locked in,” said Roberts. “After tomorrow, we’ll sort of make a decision. Because, at the end of the day, we’ve got to go with the guys we feel give us the best chance to win.”

In 48 postseason games, Pederson has seven home runs, 12 RBIs and an .813 OPS. The seven postseason homers are tied for fourth most in franchise history with Adrián González. The only Dodgers with more are Duke Snider (11), Steve Garvey (10) and Justin Turner (9).

His biggest impact came in the 2017 World Series against the Astros, when he slugged three home runs, drove in five and would have been a contender for World Series MVP had the Dodgers won Game 7.

Coming off a 36-homer 2019 and eligible for free agency this winter, this is by far Pederson’s worst offensive season. He is batting .185 with seven home runs, 16 RBIs and a .671 OPS, more than 150 points off his career mark. But in the clutch department, he’s 2-for-4 pinch-hitting and has a .945 OPS with runners in scoring position.

The acquisition of Gold Glove right fielder Mookie Betts, solid offensive seasons by outfielders AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor and Pederson’s history of playing only against right-handed pitching has limited much of Pederson’s opportunities this year to part-time designated hitter.

And now the Dodgers have a younger, cheaper, corner-infielder version of Pederson in Edwin Ríos, another left-handed hitter launching home runs at a staggering clip. The one Saturday night went into and out of the glove of Angels center fielder Jo Adell and over the fence, but it counted as No. 8 on the season, third straight in a game with a plate appearance and fifth in the last nine. Of his 32 career hits, 12 are home runs.

“Maybe I’ve thought about it a little here and there, but not really, to be honest,” Ríos said of his postseason role. “I just try to come out day in and day out and worry about today, wake up tomorrow and worry about tomorrow. When the playoffs come, worry about that.”