Joc Pederson, who started for the National League in the All-Star game, is no longer the Dodgers’ starting center field.
The Dodgers are facing a right-handed pitcher Sunday in Lance McCullers of the Houston Astros, but Manager Don Mattingly nonetheless elected to start the right-handed-hitting Enrique Hernandez instead of the left-handed-hitting Pederson in center field.
“I think he gives us a better chance to win,” Mattingly said.
Hernandez is batting .344 with an on-base percentage of .412 since the All-Star break. Pederson is batting .163 with a .333 on-base percentage over the same period.
Pederson has continued to strike out at an alarmingly high rate -- he has 142 strikeouts in 483 plate appearances this season -- but Mattingly said the slumping rookie has done everything in his power to evolve as a hitter.