Kyle Tuckers first season with Dodgers coming full circle

Kyle Tucker started the season as the Dodgers’ No.2 hitter.There’s a chance he ends it batting in that spot.No joke.By the time the Dodgers reach the World Series, Kyle Tucker — yes, that Kyle Tucker — could be back in the heart of their order.That probably won’t happen over the remainder of the National League Division Series against the Braves.

But making the $240 million disappointment a focal part of the offense will be something the Dodgers might have to eventually consider, especially if their two best left-handed hitters prove to be physically compromised.Shohei Ohtani isn’t expected to be close to full strength in these playoffs because of discomfort in his right arm and left knee.Freddie Freeman is dealing with a right knee problem. Ohtani batted second for the Dodgers in the first two games of the NLDS, and Freeman batted cleanup.

Each of them collected a single on Saturday in their 5-3 win in Game 1, with Freeman also drawing a key fourth-inning walk that set up a two-run home run by Teoscar Hernandez.Manager Dave Roberts isn’t about to drop Ohtani or Freeman in the order.The more games the Dodgers play, however, the more Ohtani’s and Freeman’s bodies could feel it, and that could require Roberts to rethink whether Tucker should continue batting in the bottom half of the lineup.Batting sixth, Tucker was 2 for 4 with a two-run home run that was ultimately the difference for the Dodgers in Game 1, but the idea of him taking a more prominent role in the offense shouldn’t be viewed as an overreaction to an isolated incident.This was the version of Tucker who quietly emerged over the second half of September as the Dodgers cruised into the postseason.Over his final 17 regular-season games, Tucker batted .333 with five home runs and 11 RBIs.

He registered an OPS of 1.072.Tucker had a number of teases over a grueling regular season, showing flashes of the hitter he used to be, only to immediately revert back to his season-long slump.Stat...