Manny Machado has been everything the Dodgers hoped
By Zach Houle
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Manny Machado at the end of July, and he’s been a great addition.
The Los Angeles Dodgers pushed themselves over the top when they traded for Machado, as they put themselves in contention for a World Series spot. Manny has had the best season of his career, and is in store for a big check in the winter.
This season, the third baseman is hitting .303 with 26 home runs and 70 RBI in 519 at-bats. Machado is hitting for more average than pop as the year has gone on. With Manny and Brian Dozier, the Dodgers have two dangerous bats inserted in the lineup. They’re both now in the thick of things for a division crown, and definitely deep into October.
Now that Machado is on a winning club and around other stars, all the pressure he had previously can be alleviated with this team. Dodgers’ fans have been ecstatic in this acquisition since the start, as it shows the front office is going all in with this team. The club almost won it all last season, and they could very well get to the World Series again.
The infielder has had the highest walk rate of his career at (11%), and his BAPIP is at .317, as he’s showing a more selective side as a hitter. Also, he already has accumulated a 4.6 WAR at this point. His best WAR season was 6.6 in 2015, in which he hit .286 with 35 home runs and 86 RBI. Machado could get close to his career high if he continues to perform.
Next. Luis Severino seems to have lost his mojo. dark
Naturally, the Dodgers are a pretty sound team other than with Kenley Jansen on the disabled list. Adding Machado pushed them over the top against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who were suitors for him. Los Angeles is in a great position to win it all this year, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to be a rematch with the Houston Astros. A Dodgers-Red Sox World Series looks promising and intriguing.