Enrique

Hernández

The slumping slugger battled cleanup in each of the first two games of the series and was dropped down to sixth against a southpaw in Game 3 on Wednesday. Perhaps the move back to the top of the lineup will provide the offensive jolt that the Dodgers need to stave off elimination and keep their dreams of a three-peat alive. Here’s the full lineup that they will trot out against Brewers’ southpaw Shane Drohan on Thursday: Ohtani (DH), Mookie Betts (SS), Freddie Freeman (1B), Will Smith (C), Kyle Tucker (RF), Teoscar Hernandez (LF), Miguel Rojas (2B), Andy Pages (CF) and Enrique Hernandez (3B).

It’s Edman’s first start in four games. Kiké Hernández is getting bumped to make room. The lineup: SS Mookie Betts, 1B Freddie Freeman, OF Teoscar Hernández, C Will Smith, 3B Max Muncy, CF Andy Pages, RF Kyle Tucker and 2B Edman.

Hernández got the start at second base in Game 4 against Atlanta, and he’ll do the same for the LCS opener against Jacob Misiorowski and the Milwaukee staff. Tommy Edman will open Sunday’s game on the bench. The full lineup: Mookie Betts SS, Freddie Freeman 1B, Will Smith C, Shohei Ohtani DH, Teoscar Hernández OF, Max Muncy 3B, Andy Pages CF, Kyle Tucker RF and Hernández at second with Tarik Skubal on the mound.

Hernández hit a massive home run against Chris Sale in Game 3 and will be rewarded with another start. Tommy Edman will head to the bench for the second straight game.

Apparently, Hernández isn’t finished etching his name into Dodgers postseason lore. The 35-year-old veteran took Atlanta ace Chris Sale deep in the fourth inning to break up a scoreless stalemate. It was his first round-tripper of the playoffs and 17th career home run across 105 career postseason contests.

Hernández’ home run was his fourth of the season. No longer a regular for the Dodgers, Hernández has 16 home runs and a .486 SLG in 103 career postseason games. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if he has another clutch hit for the Dodgers next month.

Max Muncy is also taking a seat with lefty Matt Wilkinson serving as San Francisco’s opener. It appears to be a routine off day for Freeman, who missed time with a right knee issue a couple weeks ago. The 37-year-old veteran has already played 152 games this season, hitting .290/.364/.432 with 74 runs scored, 16 homers, 70 RBI and seven steals in 654 plate appearances. It’ll be Enrique Hernández and Miguel Rojas at the infield corners in this one.

Edman had started in each of the Dodgers’ last five games, but he’ll get a breather in this one as we head into the final weekend of the regular season. Enrique Hernandez will draw a start at second base and will bat ninth against Giants’ right-hander Yunior Marte.

Tucker made an early exit from Saturday’s game after fouling a ball off of his right leg. The injury isn’t believed to be serious, but Tucker was still sore on Sunday so the Dodgers opted to give him an extra day off to rest. Enrique Hernandez will start in his place and will bat eighth against Giants’ left-hander Matt Wilkinson.

As expected, Freeman takes a seat with the Dodgers managing a relatively minor right knee issue that he’s been playing through recently. The 37-year-old first baseman missed a pair of games last week due to the lingering issue, but was feeling much better over the weekend. It’ll be versatile Enrique Hernández taking over at the cold corner in his place on Monday night.