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Dave Roberts is taking a fluid approach to the Dodgers’ batting order, treating lineup construction as a day-to-day decision rather than locking into a set configuration, per Dodger Blue. With Teoscar Hernández back from the injured list and several hitters working through stretches of inconsistency this season, Roberts has the flexibility — and apparently the inclination — to shuffle things around based on matchups and recent performance.

The Dodgers’ lineup card has looked different from the Opening Day version for a while now. Early-season struggles from certain spots in the order forced Roberts’s hand at times, and the club has experimented with various combinations throughout the first half. Hernández’s return from the 10-day IL only adds another layer. He’s a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat when right, and his presence gives Roberts more options for how to stack the lineup on any given night. Hernández showed immediately upon his return that he can still do damage, contributing to a 17-hit outburst against Oakland in his first game back.

This kind of flexibility is a luxury most managers don’t have. When you can slot guys like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Hernández into various spots depending on the pitching matchup or who’s swinging it well, the lineup becomes harder to game-plan against. Ohtani has been the engine of this offense all season — his ability to hit anywhere from one through three makes every other decision around him easier. Betts, meanwhile, has shown throughout his career that he can produce regardless of where he’s placed in the order, and Freeman’s consistency as a table-setter or run producer gives Roberts yet another interchangeable piece.

Tommy Edman, who has been settling back into second base with Hernández reclaiming outfield duties, factors into this too. Edman’s switch-hitting ability and contact skills make him a versatile option in the lineup — he can bat near the top for on-base work or lower in the order as a connector between power bats. His recent hot streak from both sides of the plate only strengthens the case for keeping him in the lineup daily regardless of the opposing pitcher’s handedness.

Roberts’s willingness to adjust daily rather than commit to a rigid order tells you a couple of things. First, he trusts his roster depth enough to believe multiple configurations can work. Second, he’s not satisfied with the offensive output from certain spots and wants to keep guys on their toes. I think this is the right approach for a team that has occasionally gone through stretches of looking flat at the plate. A set lineup can breed complacency. Mixing things up forces hitters to stay engaged regardless of where their name appears on the card.

The bigger picture here is that the Dodgers are getting closer to full strength offensively, and Roberts clearly wants to take advantage of that. With the trade deadline approaching and the roster potentially getting even deeper, this day-to-day philosophy could become even more pronounced. For now, it’s a sign that Roberts is actively managing the lineup rather than coasting — and with this much talent available, that’s exactly what you want to see.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: July 1, 2026 5:22 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers