Trea Turner looking to shake off late-season slump, October struggles

Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner, who won last season's batting title, had another stellar regular season, hitting .298 with 21 home runs and 100 RBI. However, a late-season slump has Dodgers fans worried that he could struggle again in the playoffs.

From the beginning of the season until the end of August, Turner hit .307/.352/.480. From Sept. 1 through the penultimate game of the regular season, however, Turner slashed .252/.298/.382, including a 5-for-30 stretch. 

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Turner cited “bad habits” in his swing mechanics for the slump, leading to a frustrating cycle in which he’d fix one problem only to realize another has developed.

“I feel like I haven’t done very much right this year, in my head,” Turner said. “I know what the numbers are, but compared to the last 2½ seasons or so, it just feels like I’ve left a lot on the table.”

Turner has never hit well in the postseason, with a slash line of .228/.274/.228 and one home run in 39 games. In his first playoff run with the Dodgers last year, Turner hit .216/.245/.255 with only two RBI. 

In the final game of the regular season against the Rockies -- his last chance to face competitive pitching before the playoffs -- something may have clicked for Turner. With the score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Turner crushed a three-run homer to center field off reliever Chad Smith.