Yasiel Puig set to make Dodgers history

MILWAUKEE – Yasiel Puig is in the starting lineup for Game 6 on Friday night, playing right field and batting seventh. When he steps into the batters box or jogs out to right field for the first time, he will make history for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Puig will appear in his 52nd career postseason game with the Dodgers, passing Andre Ethier for the most playoff games played in the long, storied history of the franchise.

Excitement

Puig was not in the Dodgers’ starting lineup for Game 5 of the National League Championship Series as manager Dave Roberts mixed up his lineup. Roberts made some significant changes after the 13-inning marathon in Game 4.

But in the sixth inning, with Max Muncy on first and Manny Machado on second, Puig was summoned to hit for Kiké Hernández.

Puig singled to center, driving in Machado to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1. He stood by first base with his arms raised to the heavens as Muncy got caught between second and third. When Muncy was eventually tagged, Puig rounded the infield encouraging the already-loud crowd to make more noise, waving his arms.

Puig was clutch yet again when the Dodgers needed him.

In the bottom of the eighth, Puig got another at-bat and turned what would have ordinarily been a single into a double. Once again he pumped his fists and fired up Dodger Stadium.

That’s Yasiel Puig.

He has experienced highs and lows with the team, including a demotion, since Roberts became the Dodgers manager three years ago. And Roberts has been as hard on Puig as anyone.

“Yasiel is definitely unique in his own right,” Roberts told the media before the NLCS began. “I can’t make him try to be Justin Turner or Chase Utley, but what I can do is make sure he prepares and he’s accountable for his actions and his teammates. So we’ve had some difficult conversations, but I do believe that he trusts that I have his best interest, our team’s best interest [in mind].”

Throughout the 2017 postseason Puig has provided both highlights and sound bites. He’s enjoyed clinching celebrations as much as anyone, and his predictions have become as bold as his playing style.

History maker

With two hits Wednesday in Los Angeles, Puig has 43 career postseason hits, passing Dusty Baker (42) and tying Davey Lopes for fifth place on the Dodgers’ all-time list.

When Puig arrived from Cuba 2013 he was a media darling. His exuberance on the field was both criticized and admired, not always rubbing traditionalists the right way but exciting his teammates.

Over the course of his six seasons in the majors, Puig has appeared in six postseasons. He has hit three home runs and driven in 16 runs with a .283 average in 154 playoff at-bats.

He had arguably his best postseason last year, helping the Dodgers advance to the first World Series during Puig’s tenure. He hit .455 in the 2017 Division Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and .389 against the Chicago Cubs in the 2017 NLCS, driving in six runs in eight games between the two series. He hit two home runs in the seven-game World Series, but the Dodgers eventually lost to the Houston Astros.

With his big RBI on Wednesday, he put the Dodgers within a victory of their second consecutive World Series berth. Puig is on the cusp of etching his name in the franchise’s postseason history books.

Featured Image: Harry How / Getty Images Sport