The Los Angeles Dodgers have been able to remain a top team even without Cody Bellinger, Trea Turner, Walker Buehler, and many other players not available because of injury or because they departed via free agency.
They are currently 27-15, with a six-game winning streak and eight victories in their last 10 games.
After trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks for several weeks to open the season, they now own the top spot in the NL West and have a three-game cushion over the snakes.
A lot of that success can, and should, be attributed to the hitting prowess of one of their veterans: Max Muncy.
The infielder went yard again on Monday against the Minnesota Twins and helped propel his team to another win.
He is MLB’s home run leader as of Tuesday afternoon, which is no small feat after a month-and-a-half.
Max Muncy, your MLB home run leader. pic.twitter.com/ySmxHqIO68
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 16, 2023
The lefty-hitting slugger is up to 14 round-trippers on the year so far, and projects to finish with more than 40.
He has one more home run than Pete Alonso of the New York Mets and two more than Patrick Wisdom of the Chicago Cubs.
Muncy is one of those players that doesn’t need to have a high batting average to succeed as a hitter.
For example, look at his slash line from this season: it’s .216/.365/.560.
However, his enormous power and excellent on-base skills give him a very nice floor.
He has been one of the most dangerous hitters on the Dodgers, together with rookie James Outman.
He hasn’t stopped hitting home runs, and the Dodgers are thriving as a result.
NEXT: Clayton Kershaw Sits Atop An Elite List In MLB History
