Chris Taylor is encouraged by the swing mechanics

Matt Marton/USA TODAY Sports

Chris Taylor had a miserable start at the plate this season, but he has been swinging a strong bat lately and will be rewarded with more opportunities at third base as long as Max Muncy stays out.

In 14 games (nine starts) in June, Taylor posted a batting average of .278/.333/.528 with one double, one triple, two home runs and four RBIs.

He was a bright spot in the Dodgers’ loss to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, going 2 for 3 with a double, a home run and two RBIs. Taylor also had a hit in the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Taylor said he’s starting to feel more like himself again and is pleased with his recent at-bats (via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group):

“I feel like my technique is at a point where I can take the approach I’ve wanted to take the last few years,” Taylor said. “I’ve always thought about hitting the ball to midfield. That kind of puts me in a position to do anything. Before the last couple of weeks, when I thought about it, I was inferior and I was missing. Now I’m at a point where I feel like I can go back to that approach and feel like myself.”

“It was a process. For me, it was more about the quality of the at-bats and getting the ball forward. That was encouraging – not just today, but also in the last few weeks.”

Taylor’s resurgence was a pleasant surprise as Muncy is still working on his recovery from a strained right oblique, giving the Dodgers a good interim solution at third base until he returns.

The team initially tried to fill the gap by starting Kiké Hernández and Cavan Biggio, but both players struggled greatly, raising doubts about their future in the team.

If Muncy returns to the Dodgers, Taylor will likely return to an all-around role, which in turn should boost the bench.

Dave Roberts: “Pretty easy” to bet on Chris Taylor

Taylor’s past problems led some fans to cut him from the Dodgers’ roster, but manager Dave Roberts stuck with the 11-year veteran. “I think I’m a big proponent of the honor of the game,” Roberts said recently.

“And CT, even today, he was out here early with pace and fighting spirit. He’s a great teammate, he’s always on the bench, watching the games and he’s ready when he’s needed. And of course he’s grown tremendously with what he’s done for us and me during my time as a Dodger.

“He’s always prepared. So I think it’s often pretty easy for me to bet on the person.”

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