Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly made a bold lineup choice with his team facing elimination in Game 4 of their NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals. No, not starting Clayton Kershaw on three days' rest . Mattingly doesn't have dynamic outfielder Yasiel Puig in his starting lineup. Instead, Andre Ethier is playing center field and batting sixth. At his pregame press conference, Mattingly explained the move as such: Mattingly on benching Puig for Ethier: "He's healthy. It's pretty simple. I just feel like this gives us the best chance to win today." — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 7, 2014 Puig has struggled lately in the NLDS, striking out in seven straight at-bats in Games 2 and 3. He snapped that with a triple to lead off the sixth inning Monday, eventually scoring the Dodgers' lone run in their 3-1 loss . He was 2-for-4 with three runs scored in Game 1 of the series. The Cardinals send right-hander Shelby Miller to the mound. Comparing Puig and Ethier's numbers against right-handed pitching might cause some to second-guess Mattingly's decision. Andre Ethier vs RHP 2014: 296 AB, 4HR, 38 RBI, .253 BA, .710 OPS Yasiel Puig vs RHP 2014: 430 AB, 14 HR, 61 RBI, .307...
Yasiel Puig not in starting lineup as Dodgers face elimination in Game 4
Published October 7, 2014 at 12:35 PM
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