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Washington Nationals: 2016 NLDS Tale Of The Tape

By Ricky Keeler

Jun 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) slides into third base to beat a throw to Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) slides into third base to beat a throw to Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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September 25, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) hits a single in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Shortstop: Corey Seager vs. Danny Espinosa

As I looked at the position battles in this series, the one that stands out the most in favor of Los Angeles is at shortstop. Not only is Seager the favorite for NL Rookie of the Year, but the 22-year-old has also been in the MVP discussion at times down the stretch.

This season, Seager had a slash line of .308/.365/.512 with 26 home runs and 72 RBI’s. Plus, he was fifth in the NL in runs scored (105). In the second half, Seager hit .321 with nine home runs and 30 RBI’s. In a small sample size against the Nats, he was 6-for-12 with a solo home run this year.

The one category that Espinosa was able to keep up with Seager in was the long ball. Espinosa had 24 home runs and 72 RBI’s (both career-highs). With that being said, Espinosa hit a mere .209 this year, .172 in the second half, and .106 in September.

At the bottom of the order, Espinosa does bring power to a part of the lineup that needs it. Defensively, Espinosa is tied for fourth in the NL in runs saved (8) and eight runs ahead of Seager (Fangraphs). Espinosa may not hit for average, but he can make a game changing play defensively.

Advantage: Like I said before, I think this matchup leans to the Dodgers in a big way. Seager is emerging as one of the best players in the game. While Espinosa hits home runs and makes big plays defensively, Seager is the better player.

 

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