Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier made headlines in April for his hitting streak that lasted 30 games before ending May 7th. Ethier was batting as high as .388 during the streak, but after it ended he dropped 81 points to .307. In fact, he batted just .145 over the next 15 games after it ended. Now Ethier’s explained what may have led to the drop off.
“I don’t think I had a good feeling during the streak, really,” Ethier said after Monday night’s win over the Rockies. “I was just getting hits. I think that was the problem. I was going up there doing the wrong thing mechanics-wise just to get hits rather than doing it the right way and the way I’m used to.”
Though Ethier had plenty of success during the streak, the adjustment to his swing explains his struggles afterwards. He seems to have collected himself going 8-for-16 in the last five games with two doubles and a home run.
I always felt like the streak was built up into something more than it was. First off, Ethier only reached 30 games which is slightly over halfway to Joe DiMaggio’s record 56-game streak. Secondly, though having a hitting streak shows you’re getting on base each day, they can be overrated. If a batter is only going 1-for-4 or 1-for-5 with a single every night, that’s not helping the team much.
Ethier’s most effective when he’s driving the ball, hitting doubles and home runs. Maybe the hitting streak was bad for his approach, but the good news is he seems to have corrected the problem with plenty of games left in the season.
