Alvarez’s Decisions Proving Costly in Field, at Plate

Teoscar Hernández bounced the ball out in front of the plate with nobody out and a runner on first in the second inning of a scoreless NLCS Game 2. Francisco Alvarez fielded it and had a choice to make: the sure out at first or the risky throw to try to get the lead runner at second.

If an 8-0 loss can have turning points, this may have been one of them. Alvarez fired to second, but his throw was wide and Jose Iglesias couldn’t handle it with Max Muncy sliding in as the ball arrived. Everyone was safe. Alvarez was charged with an error, the Dodgers had two men on, nobody out, and would score twice in the inning.

A chance to make up for it came quickly in the bottom of the second when Alvarez stepped to the plate with one out and the bases loaded. He worked the count to 2-2 but took Walker Buehler‘s 94 MPH four-seam fastball for strike 3, another potential turning point that went the Dodgers’ way. Alvarez struck out looking in all three of his plate appearances in the game.

“I think offensively, he’s in-between,” manager Carlos Mendoza said post-game. “I think he’s late making his move which is not allowing him to make some good swing decisions.  So that’s why you see him at times taking the fastball or late on the fastball and then chasing. That tells you right there that we have a guy that is late getting ready.”

After a solid September where he posted a .900 OPS with five home runs and 17 RBIs, Alvarez is 5-for-35 (.143/.167/.143) in the postseason with no extra-base hits, one RBI, one walk and 13 strikeouts. Mendoza said he will start Game 4.

“He’s a good hitter, man. He’s a good player and we’re facing an elite pitching staff as well. So he’ll come through for us.”

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