August 14th, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Overshadowed in Thursday night’s remarkable and historic 11-2 Dodgers rout of the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium is something that no one wants to talk about or even acknowledge – Dodgers utility infielder Max Muncy is an absolute mess right now.
As Dodgers superstar newcomer Mookie Betts was tying an MLB record with his sixth career three-home-run game and Messers. Corey Seager, A.J. Pollock, and Austin Barnes also joining the Dodgers home run derby on Thursday night, Muncy went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts while leaving three men on base.
The 29-year-old Midland, TX native and fifth-round draft pick by the Oakland Athletics in 2012 out of Baylor University saw his batting average drop to .169, fourth-worst on the team behind only Joc Pederson (.167), Cody Bellinger (.165), and Matt Beaty (.100); all of whom also went 0-fer on Thursday night.
But despite Muncy’s struggles and as every good manager should, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts continues to defend his struggling power-hitter.
“He’s having good at-bats and taking his walks,” the Dodgers skipper said in a recent Zoom media conference.
Unfortunately, the numbers don’t necessarily support Roberts’ claim. Muncy, who has appeared in every game thus far this season (20) to lead all of baseball, has had 90 official plate appearances (ditto), during which he has struck out a team-leading 24 times and walked 10 times, which is tied for the team lead with utility infielder Chris Taylor. But as we all know, when ‘Mad Max’ is hot, he is usually smoking hot, which is undoubtedly why Doc continues to pencil his name onto his daily lineup card.
As for Betts, we are running out of adjectives to describe the Future Hall of Famer.
“We do realize how special a player he is, but to see it on a nightly basis is something we don’t take for granted,” said Roberts of Betts following his record-setting performance on Thursday night.
“I’m hungry to be successful. I work my butt off to be the best that I can be,” Betts told reporters after the game.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
Again, no one wants to say or acknowledge it, but it is what it is – Max Muncy could use a few days off to clear his head and eliminate (or at least reduce) the pressure he is undoubtedly putting on himself.
Play Ball!
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It’s sad to watch hitters like Muncy struggling (and umpires helping it out), I’m sure, like you say, a few days off might turn things around for him. The same goes for Bellinger, Pederson and Beaty.
I think Bellinger is just getting his swing and approach in sync, so keep him in the lineup. Roberts gave Pederson several opportunities to prove that he is more than a platoon player, but to no avail. Beaty could use a trip to the alternate training site at USC with McKinstry or DJ Peters taking his place.
Sit Muncy,it is time to make a Pederson trade, and Bellinger belongs in the lineup.
SoCal, I wish the Dodgers would bring up McKinstry,would love to see what he can do.
McKinstry in place of Beaty (with Beaty moved to the alternate training site to work on his swing and emergency catching skills); Will Smith to the IL retroactively and recall Keibert Ruiz to play tomorrow. I would like to see DJ Peters get a chance to play, especially when team plays against a LH pitcher.