Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig in starting lineup for NLDS Game 4

The Los Angeles Dodgers will start Yasiel Puig in right field and bat him sixth in the lineup for Game 4 of the NLDS against the New York Mets:

The Dodgers are looking to pit right-handed batters against the Mets’ starting pitcher, rookie southpaw Steven Matz.

Puig was used as a pinch-hitter in Games 2 and 3 of the series but struck out each time. The 24-year-old struggled with injuries during the regular season that limited him to just 79 games. A strained hamstring kept him largely out of commission from August 27 through the end of the campaign.

When he did play this year, Puig’s production at the plate was decidedly below the levels of his first two MLB seasons. He finished with a .255/.322/.436 slash line, 11 home runs and 38 RBI in 311 plate appearances.

Puig did post a .924 OPS against left-handers this year, .220 points higher than against righties. The Dodgers will hope that having him back in the lineup tonight provides a jolt to their offense. Down two games to one in the best-of-five series, getting on the scoreboard early will be key to Los Angeles avoiding elimination and forcing a Game 5.

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