Fans, Mookie Betts of the Dodgers shares an emotional plea during his performance slump
Mookie Betts' Mixed Season for Dodgers
In the 2022 season, Mookie Betts put up a strong performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers, batting .269 with 35 home runs, 82 RBIs, 117 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases over 142 games. His on-base plus slugging (OPS) was an impressive .873, reflecting his significant offensive contribution. Betts' overall impact was substantial as a reliable and versatile player, helping the Dodgers in the regular season at shortstop and outfield positions.
However, his postseason performance in 2022 was less impressive, with a very low batting average of .080 across 7 postseason games between 2022 and 2023, registering only 2 hits, 1 RBI, and 3 runs. This contrast suggests that while Betts played a critical role in the regular season, his impact was limited during the playoffs that year.
Fast forward to the current season, Betts' batting average has dropped to .236, and his OPS has decreased to .670. The Dodgers, who are currently just two games ahead of the San Diego Padres, could use a great stretch run from Betts to win the division.
The team is dealing with multiple pitching injuries, including Blake Snell and Clayton Kershaw, and their bullpen has been struggling due to these injuries. Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates are currently on the injured list, but both could return before the end of August.
Despite Betts' poor play recently, the Dodgers have been receiving strong performances from Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith. Smith leads the NL in batting average for the Dodgers, while Ohtani has been crushing it offensively. Freddie Freeman has also shown improvement, with a .968 OPS in the 18 games since the All-Star Break, an improvement from his .517 OPS in the final 28 games before the break.
Roki Sasaki has only made eight starts for the Dodgers this year, but his contributions will be crucial as the team heads into the final stretch of the season. The Dodgers lost the rubber game of the series against the St Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, and the San Diego Padres are nipping at their heels after a busy trade deadline.
Amid his tough season, Betts got an ovation from Dodgers fans, a testament to his resilience and the respect he commands in the league. Despite strong performances from Ohtani and Smith, the Dodgers are not the powerhouse everyone assumed they would be. A strong finish from Betts could help change that narrative.
Rumors swirl around Mookie Betts' potential impact during the upcoming MLB playoffs, given his mixed season performance. Despite lower batting averages and OPS in the current season, his strong offensive contributions in past playoffs are not entirely forgotten.
Injuries to key pitchers like Blake Snell, Clayton Kershaw, Tanner Scott, and Kirby Yates have weakened the Dodgers' pitching lineup, with the bullpen particularly struggling.
While Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith have stood out with their impressive performances for the Dodgers, a strong finish from Mookie Betts could tip the balance in favor of the Dodgers, to help them win the division and establish their status as a powerhouse team.
