Kyle Tucker takes the field at Dodger Stadium for his first on-field batting practice after enduring real struggles at the plate
While the Los Angeles Dodgers are pretty intact, Kyle Tucker is holding on by a thread.
He is batting .232 with only 11 home runs and 55 RBIs. Lately, Tucker has endured a hitless streak.
On Friday, Tucker did something different from what he had done all season, per David Vassegh of 570 LA Sports. He took a live on-field batting practice before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Before the game, manager Dave Roberts said a change in Tucker’s approach is about adjusting to a new dynamic that drastic change, per Claudia Gestro.
Dave Roberts explained before today’s BP that Kyle Tucker will change some of his usual routines and take BP outside. Roberts emphasized that this isn’t about forcing Tucker to change, but rather about helping him adjust to a different setting and routine. Sometimes, a change of… pic.twitter.com/kqdyvSi8eZ
— claudia gestro (@claudiagestro) August 21, 2026
On Thursday, Tucker broke his hitless streak by going 2-for-5 against the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers won 6-4 and capped off a three-game sweep before beginning a three-game series at home against the Pirates.
The Dodgers are currently 77-51 and leading in the National League West Division by nine games over the San Diego Padres. They are a given for the postseason and will be favorites to win their 3rd straight World Series title.
In January, Tucker signed a lucrative four-year $240 million contract with the hope that he would add additional depth in a star-studded lineup with Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts.
According to StatMuse, Tucker has been inconsistent at home but does well on the road. He is batting .192 at home and .271 on the road.
He has recorded 39 hits at home and 60 hits on the road. Also, Tucker has hit 9 home runs on the road and only two at home.
A combination of pressure to live up to the contract, fatigue, ebbs and flows, and a tendency to chase low pitches has led to where Tucker is now.
The Dodgers and Pirates commence at 7:10 pm PST/8:10 pm EST.
While the Los Angeles Dodgers are pretty intact, Kyle Tucker is holding on by a thread. He is batting . 232 with only 11 home runs and 55 RBIs. Lately, Tucker has endured a hitless streak. On Friday, Tucker did something different from what he had done all season, per David Vassegh of 570 LA Sports.