Dodgers utility man Kiké Hernandez finds himself in familiar territory after being named a starter for the team’s pivotal Game 3 clash with Arizona on Wednesday night.
Manager Dave Roberts knows what he has in the veteran and the do-it-all glue guy spoke about his mindset with LA’s season on the brink.
“I’ve played in a lot of these, a lot of must-win games. So I kind of know what to expect. I’m ready. I don’t think this team brought me here to help them win 100 games. They brought me here to help them win games in situations like these. And they put me in the lineup and now it’s up to me to come through. … For me personally I think the mentality should be win one, win today, because that’s all that matters. Today is the only thing that matters. And we wake up tomorrow and we do it all over again.
via Kiké Hernandez, Game 3 pregame comments
Hernandez played a key role in the team’s World Series runs in 2017, 2018 and, of course, 2020’s championship roster during his first stint in LA.
The veteran sent the defending champion Cubs home with a three home run game against Chicago in LA’s first World Series appearance against the infamous cheating Houston Astros in 2017.
Then, 2020 told a similar story after Hernandez smacked a game-tying home run in a do-or-die Game 7 against Atlanta, punctuating a 3-1 comeback against the Braves.
Even after he left LA, the Red Sox got a taste of Hernandez’s postseason prowess in their inspired run to the 2021 ALCS.
Boston relied heavily on the veteran and he delivered them one of the best offensive postseason stretches of all time.
In just 11 games, Hernandez earned 41 total bases, 10 extra-base knocks and five home runs en route to an inspired run against the Tampa Bay Rays and eventual AL champion Astros.
Hernandez’s most recent pinch-hit appearance led to one of just two runs in LA’s Game 2 loss to the Diamondbacks, but Roberts clearly trusts his veteran to bring some thunder to a lackluster offense.
The Dodgers now need all hands on deck facing elimination and Hernandez will play a huge role through his vast experience in these moments. And he’s ready to help LA get there.
“We’ve gotten punched in the face, punched in the mouth, whatever you want to call it, twice, and it’s up to us to punch them right back,” Hernandez said. “I’m a big UFC fan — the best fights are the ones back and forth, not the ones that are one-sided. That’s got to be the mentality.”
via Kiké Hernandez, Game 3 pregame comments
LA needs him and the rest of their offense now more than ever as failure to perform will mean a long and cold winter ahead.
Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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