Dodgers' Bottom Third Shines, Defying Records

0:00It's April 17th. This is MLB News Today, powered by AI, You're Around the Diamond Update. I'm Cory with the Story. The Dodgers are off to a 14- and 4-start, the best record in Major League Baseball. Shohei Otani keeps shining with a 48-game-on-base streak, five homers, and a 0.910 OPS. But Kyle Tucker, their $240 million off-season grab, is still shaking off the rest, and Mookie Betts is sideline with a right. Obliq strain. That bottom of the lineup, spot 7-9, is on fire, slashing 0.328, 0.385, 0.550, with A, 160WRC plus. It's the highest OPS for any team's first 18 games since the 2011 Yankees hit, 0.950. Fans and analysts are buzzing about this depth-turning heads, especially with the Dodgers as back-to-back World Series champs. His proof their roster runs deep, carrying them even when Superstar's dip, Andy Pages

1:01leaves the charge at 0.409 batting average, and fourth in MLB, with a 1.148 OPS. Back-up catcher Dalton rushing crushed a grand slam versus the Metts, his fourth homer already, after Otani jote he should go deep for him. This pace projects 90 homers from the bottom third, smashing records, though small samples raise questions on if it sticks. For the Dodgers, winning like this just feels natural.