Manny's been Machado about nothing for LA
Manny Machado … impact player. Just not the way everyone expected!
When the Dodgers acquired Machado in mid-July, it was presumed the 26-year-old star shortstop would help put the defending National League champions over the top. He’d be the difference-maker that would launch them to the divisional crown after a disappointing start. He’d be what separates the Dodgers from the Cubs in the NL bracket. And having a slugger at shortstop would help swing a matchup against any AL survivor in the World Series.
Well, Machado has had an impact on the Dodgers postseason hopes. Negatively. His power has disappeared (except for one big game Friday in Seattle, when he hit his first two August homers). He’s been an anvil during a bevy of one-run losses (Dodgers were 2-7 in one-run games in August through the Seattle series). The Dodgers are still in a titanic struggle with the Diamondbacks and Rockies to win their division, or to win one of two wild-card berths in a very crowded NL field.
That struggle continues Wednesday night vs. the Cardinals in a game that will be nationally televised by ESPN. Is this the disappointing player you’ll be watching on TV?
That’s not what the Dodgers were expecting. Nor is it enough to lift them above the logjam.
Maybe Machado’s decline isn’t that big a surprise. Before the trade, he was having a great 2018 … at Camden Yards. That’s been a hitter’s park this season, lifting offense around five percent, but home runs around 20 percent. Machado had 17 home runs there in 175 at-bats this season, compared to 11 home runs in 310 at-bats everywhere else.
Now he’s facing pitchers with whom he’s not very familiar, and playing home games in a pitchers’ park. Dodger Stadium has reduced offense by about 10 percent.
If Machado’s machismo was partly park illusion, he may not be a linchpin player.
Cause for concern at the very least if you’ve placed some futures bets on the Dodgers to win their division, league or the World Series. And, something to watch if you’re thinking of betting them down the stretch with no games at Camden Yards. Sign up for VSiN’s free daily newsletter at VSiN.com/newsletter.