He loves LA: Walker belts 2 more homers vs. Dodgers
LOS ANGELES -- Dodger Stadium can be an intimidating place for visiting players. In MLB’s largest ballpark by capacity, opponents often note just how loud it can get as fans cheer on the perennial NL West leaders.
Try telling that to Christian Walker.
Walker homered twice in the D-backs’ 12-4 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday. He now has 17 home runs in 41 career games at Chavez Ravine, all since the start of 2018 -- six more than any visiting player there in that span. It’s also the third most by a visiting player at any venue in that same window.
“There's a few parks around the league where just something feels different about the batter's box,” said Walker. “Maybe the lights, maybe just the visuals. But yeah, just one of those things. Not really one specific thing.”
Walker had already homered once in the series, sending one a Statcast-projected 402 feet out to center field against Bobby Miller on Tuesday. On Wednesday in the fourth inning, Walker connected with a full-count 87 mph four-seamer from Ryan Yarbrough for a solo shot.
This one traveled a projected 378 feet and just got over the left-field wall. But it was plenty far enough to break the tie, giving the D-backs a lead they would never relinquish.
For good measure, in the ninth inning, Walker took a middle-middle Michael Petersen fastball a projected 398 feet to left-center field, knocking in three with his 20th long ball of the season.
“It's almost a running joke in the dugout that he's going to hit one or two every series when he comes in here,” said manager Torey Lovullo. “And he has done it.”
Walker now has four homers in five games at Dodger Stadium this season, and six in eight total games against the Dodgers. His 1.129 OPS at Dodger Stadium is the highest among visiting players in the history of the venue, which dates back to 1962.
It was a huge night overall for Walker, who went 4-for-5 with four RBIs and a walk, finishing a triple shy of the cycle. He was within feet of a three-homer night, as his sixth-inning double fell just a couple of feet short of getting out.
“I think a big part of it is the lineup and the protection around me in the lineup,” said Walker. “It gives me the freedom to take some big swings and try to change the score. And it's helpful coming up with guys on a lot. Just proud of the guys for putting all of us in an opportunity to do that.”
Walker has a nice little hot stretch taking shape, as he has gone 11-for-17 with six extra-base hits and two walks over his past four games, striking out just once. That’s provided a boost to his overall numbers, and he currently ranks third among NL first basemen with an .845 OPS this season. He has as many homers as Bryce Harper, who was voted the NL’s starting first baseman in the 2024 All-Star Game.
Earlier in the day, Walker’s teammate, Ketel Marte, found out he would be starting at second base for the Senior Circuit in the Midsummer Classic. Lovullo will be managing the NL squad. Walker has played well enough to at least be in the discussion to join them as a roster reserve -- although it won’t be easy, as first base is a highly competitive position with a number of big names.
Lovullo, for his part, hopes that Walker will somehow make his way into the mix, noting that he and his staff had already cast their votes via the players’ ballot that will partially make that determination.
“He's an under-the-radar-type of player, right?” said Lovullo. “The league is starting to find out who he is. He deserves All-Star consideration. He likes it that way. He's a very quiet, unassuming guy, but when he steps on the field, he is a different personality, and the league has taken notice of that.”