Top 10: Dodger defensive plays of 2020
(Editor’s note: Dodger Insider will compile top 10 lists throughout the offseason, reflecting on the 2020 season. This edition is the top Dodger defensive plays of the year.)
Previous Edition:
Longest homers
by Rowan Kavner
Mookie Betts made his presence felt at the plate, in the field and on the top 10 list of Dodger defensive plays in his first season in Los Angeles.
From stunning throws to series-saving robberies, here are 10 of the Dodgers’ best plays from a championship season.
10) Aug. 27 — first inning, one out — Bellinger’s backhander
Cody Bellinger’s speed helped out Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers as he covered plenty of ground in center field to make this back-handed grab against the Giants.
9) Oct. 20 — WS Game 1, seventh inning, one out — The comebacker
Pitching in his first career World Series game, Victor González extinguished a Rays rally with this double play in a Dodger win.
8) Oct. 25 — WS Game 5, fourth inning, two outs — Step off!
Credit Max Muncy with the assist. The Dodger first baseman yelled for Kershaw to step off as Manuel Margot took off for home. Kershaw successfully fired home just in time to prevent the Rays from tying the game in a 4–2 win.
7) Oct. 16 — NLCS Game 5, third inning, one out — The shoestring grab
The Braves took three of the first four games in the NLCS and jumped out to a 2–0 advantage in Game 5 when Mookie Betts came to the rescue. Running in on a sinking fly from Dansby Swanson, Betts made the catch near his feet. His athletic throw home was just late, but Marcell Ozuna left early upon review. The double play flipped the momentum in a comeback 7–3 win.
6) Oct. 17 — NLCS Game 6, fifth inning, two outs —Going up
Betts wasn’t done making life tough on Ozuna in the NLCS. With the Dodgers leading 3–0 in Game 6, Betts drifted back on a deep fly and timed the jump at the warning track perfectly to rob Ozuna of extra bases in a 3–1 win.
5) Aug. 5 — ninth inning, one out — Taylor ends it
The Dodgers and upstart Padres had plenty of memorable battles in 2020. Chris Taylor finished this one with an exclamation mark on a catch and throw home to get Trent Grisham tagging for the win.
4) July 31 — first inning, no outs — Don’t try him
Tony Gonsolin got some help against his first batter of the 2020 season when Betts prevented a leadoff triple by Ketel Marte, throwing across the field to get him at third base trying to stretch for a triple down the line. Betts’ catches will be remembered most, but this throw was as good as any.
3) Oct. 18 — NLCS Game 7, fourth inning, one out — RedTurn2
Betts wasn’t the only Dodger making game-changing defensive plays in the NLCS. With the Braves leading 3–2 in Game 7 with two runners in scoring position, Turner started a rundown, tagged out Swanson then wisely finished an inning-ending double play with a throw to third to get Austin Riley in another comeback win.
2) Oct. 7 — NLDS Game 2, seventh inning, two outs — “He made the catch!”
The Dodgers swept the Padres in the NLDS, but who knows what would’ve happened without this home run-robbing grab from Bellinger on Fernando Tatis Jr. Pandemonium ensued after Bellinger prevented what would’ve been a go-ahead run in a 6–5 win.
1) Oct. 18 — NLCS Game 7, fifth inning, one out — “He does it again!”
When the Dodgers figuratively had their backs against the wall against the Braves, Betts literally put his back against the wall on multiple leaping grabs.
For a third straight game in the NLCS, Betts came up with a vital defensive play. His last was a robbery of a would-be home run from Freddie Freeman. The Dodgers trailed 3–2 at the time in a game they won 4–3 to go to the World Series.
