Dodgers utility infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor is one of those guys that you either really really like or you really really don’t.

…or both.

The 32-year-old Virginia Beach, VA native and fifth-round draft pick in 2012 by the Seattle Mariners out of the University of Virginia, who signed with the Dodgers as a free agent on December 1, 2021, seems to have an uncanny knack for striking out at the absolute worst possible time, usually with the game tying – or game winning – runners in scoring position.

But he also has an uncanny knack for coming up with ridiculously huge game tying – or game winning – home runs, which immediately return him to grace with upset Dodgers fans who had given up on him.

…which is exactly what he did – yet again – on Saturday afternoon against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch, the Spring Training home of both teams.

Taylor, who had an RBI single in the top of the first inning to give the Dodgers an early (albeit brief) 1-0 lead, struck out in the top of the third inning and again in the top of the fifth inning, this time with two outs and the score tied 2-2 and the go-ahead run on third base, causing frustrated Dodgers fans to – once again – throw their respective towels in on him.

But with no outs and the game tied at 4-4 in the top of the seventh inning and a runner on second, he absolutely crushed a hanging curveball off of White Sox right-hander A. J. Alexy into the Dodgers bullpen for a two-run home run to give the Dodgers a 6-4 lead and the eventual final score, for the Dodgers 12th win of the Spring.

“I think for me right now, that’s probably the biggest hit of the Spring for the Dodgers,” manager Dave Roberts told SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson postgame. “It’s good to see him break out today.”

Welcome back into grace, Chris!

Play Ball!

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