Matt Kemp Leads Dodgers to 17-1 Victory Over Pirates

Back in December, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded four players to the Atlanta Braves in return for outfielder Matt Kemp, who previously played for the Dodgers from 2007-2014. The trade was viewed by many as a salary dump by the Dodgers, with Kemp being a bit past his prime at age 33 going into the 2018 season, and reduced to a part time role. In 115 games with Atlanta in 2017, Kemp hit .276 with 19 homers and 64 RBIs. With two teams in 2016, Kemp hit 35 homers with 108 RBIs with San Diego and Atlanta, so apparently the Dodgers figured he was worth bringing back, if only as a backup.

At this point it’s safe to say the move is paying off better than expected. In the Dodgers game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on July 2nd, Kemp was 5 for 5 at the plate, with a home run, a double, four runs scored and four RBIs as the Dodgers routed the Pirates 17-1. It was the second straight game Kemp had driven in four runs.

At the conclusion of play, Kemp was hitting .323–fourth best in the National League–with 15 homers and 55 RBIs. He leads the club in batting average, on base percentage, hits, and RBIs, and is second in OPS and slugging percentage. Not bad for a guy who was viewed as an adequate reserve player.

With the victory, the Dodgers moved to within a game and a half of first place Arizona in the National League West.