Part 5/9:
Lineup Adjustments and Managerial Decisions
Lineup strategy also plays a critical role. The Dodgers’ surprise lineup change, with Mookie Betts moving to the three-hole unexpectedly, shows the constant chess match in managerial decision-making. Interestingly, the lineup change was made after the team’s top hitter, Pahz, was benched despite his hot streak—a move reportedly communicated via a cryptic MLB.com alert rather than a traditional team discussion.