Dave Roberts used his pregame media session to outline a pair of lineup adjustments he is considering for the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the most immediate change involving moving Freddie Freeman up to bat second in the order. Roberts explained that the shift was not tied to a single matchup but rather something he had been mulling over for some time as he looked for ways to optimize the lineup, particularly against right-handed starting pitching.
Roberts said he expects to lean into the Freeman move especially in games against right-handers for the foreseeable future, describing his confidence in Freeman handling that spot in the order. He was careful to note that while a specific matchup factored into his thinking on a given night, the larger decision to install Freeman in the two-hole was more about finding a configuration that could work consistently going forward.
On the subject of Teoscar Hernandez, Roberts acknowledged that his performance against right-handed pitching has not met the standard either he or the club expects, a trend he said has persisted for much of the year. Given the depth on the bench, including Max Muncy and Kyle Tucker, Roberts indicated he feels compelled at times to pursue what he views as the more favorable matchup, which could mean sitting Hernandez or turning to a pinch hitter when a tough right-hander is on the mound.
Roberts stressed that his approach would not mean removing Hernandez from the lineup outright against left-handed pitching, where he said Hernandez has performed well. Instead, he framed the plan as periodically giving Hernandez a breather against right-handers to get other players involved, while leaving open the possibility of turning to Muncy or Tucker off the bench in select spots depending on how matchups unfold during a game.
Despite the potential change in playing time, Roberts said he remains fully confident in Hernandez and believes that consistent opportunities to play every day will ultimately benefit both the player and the team. He also referenced broader conversations he has had with players about leverage and timing throughout the season, suggesting those discussions have informed how he is now approaching decisions like this one.