CHICAGO — Andrew Toles’ ascent to the top of the lineup is complete.
Toles, a 24-year-old rookie who began the season in Single-A, will lead off Game 6 of the National League Championship Series for the Dodgers on Saturday. It’s the first time he’s batted leadoff in a major league game.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has used Chase Utley in the leadoff spot against right-handed pitchers throughout the series. (Right-hander Kyle Hendricks is starting Game 6 for Chicago.) Utley is giving the Dodgers longer at-bats — he’s seen 4.03 pitches per plate appearance to 3.70 for Toles — but is still looking for his first hit in the series. Toles has five hits, including two doubles, and one walk in 10 at-bats.
Toles batted second this season once, in September, but otherwise hasn’t hit higher than seventh in his time with the Dodgers.
Here are the full lineups for both teams:
Dodgers:
Andrew Toles LF
Corey Seager SS
Justin Turner 3B
Adrian González 1B
Josh Reddick RF
Joc Pederson CF
Yasmani Grandal C
Chase Utley 2B
Clayton Kershaw P
Cubs:
Dexter Fowler CF
Kris Bryant 3B
Anthony Rizzo 1B
Ben Zobrist LF
Javier Baez 2B
Willson Contreras C
Addison Russell SS
Albert Almora Jr RF
Kyle Hendricks P