Phoenix –– The big question in the Dodgers’ lineup as the season approaches isn’t necessarily who will fill the spots; it’s more about how manager Dave Roberts will orchestrate his star hitters this spring.
This week, Roberts began assembling a strong batting order, showcasing some notable changes. Kyle Tucker, a new signing, was positioned at second base, and the talented Freddie Freeman held down the cleanup spot.
Roberts acknowledged that things might shift before Opening Day, but, as he stated, “I like where things are heading right now.”
Ever since Tucker secured a $240 million deal with the Dodgers, how he and Freeman would fit into the batting order has been a topic of discussion. Last year, the top of the Dodgers’ lineup was mostly static, with Shohei Ohtani leading off followed by Mookie Betts and Freeman typically batting third—although catcher Will Smith sometimes took the third spot against left-handed pitchers.
Tucker’s addition adds a new dynamic.
The Dodgers will still utilize Ohtani as their leadoff hitter in 2026. However, Tucker’s capacity to reach base and hit effectively against both left- and right-handed pitchers has become a significant asset. Traditionally, the Dodgers have mixed left-handed and right-handed batters to avoid giving teams an advantage during matchups with relievers. Yet with Tucker’s presence, the potential downside of having two lefties at the start has been mitigated.
As the Dodgers strive for their third straight World Series title, their leading five hitters are expected to be Ohtani, Tucker, Betts, Freeman, and Smith.
Roberts noted about Tucker in the two-hole, “His performance against different matchups isn’t a concern. He’s a base-hit producer, and that energy will flow into the guys hitting behind him. I think it’s a promising trajectory.”
This indicates the Dodgers’ evaluation process for their largest star as they gear up for the 2026 season.
Ohtani has proven to excel in any role, but he seems particularly at ease since taking over as leadoff in mid-2024. That year, first basemen’s OPS surged significantly. Last season, he emerged as baseball’s top leadoff hitter, leading the majors in home runs with 51, including 12 leadoff RBIs, while boasting a .284 batting average for players with over 300 at-bats.
Moving Tucker to the second position signals the Dodgers’ optimistic view of his impact as a newcomer.
The number two spot has become a coveted location for productive hitters. Although Tucker hasn’t reached the MVP levels of Freeman or Betts, the Dodgers hope his skills can lead him—and them—to a standout season.
For Betts and Freeman, being lower in the lineup might ease their offensive pressure as they seek consistency in 2026. However, having runners on base remains crucial for creating scoring chances.
Meanwhile, Smith could capitalize on his career-best .296 batting average from last season, coupled with his postseason heroics, positioning himself as one of the best No. 5 hitters in the league.
And beyond this top grouping, the Dodgers have great depth in their lineup. Teoscar Hernandez, Max Muncy, Andy Pages, and Tommy Edman (who will miss Opening Day while recovering from ankle surgery) round out a strong bottom half.
