Mookie Betts of the Dodgers celebrates his 3 RBI performance against the Blue Jays, dedicating it to his wife, Brianna.
Mookie Betts, the eight-time All-Star outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, continued his resurgence with a two-run homer against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 8, contributing to a 5-1 victory for the Dodgers. This was Betts' third consecutive multi-hit game, and his best performance of the MLB season so far.
Betts' recent return to form appears to be marked by improved offensive production after a prolonged slump earlier in the season. His struggles can be traced back to March during the Dodgers' trip to Japan, which left him dehydrated and 20 pounds lighter.
Despite his struggles with slugging and overall batting average earlier in the 2025 season, Betts’ plate discipline remained solid, indicating a potential shift back to his typical selective hitting approach. Manager Dave Roberts has kept Betts in a top-of-the-order role, demonstrating confidence in Betts’ ability to rebound, which may positively influence his performance.
Betts' return to form provides a much-needed boost to the Dodgers’ offense at the top of the lineup during a critical phase of the season. His timely hitting has contributed to runs scored and RBIs, helping the Dodgers maintain leads in games. Although his overall 2025 season statistics still reflect a slump (.236 batting average, .308 on-base percentage, .361 slugging, 11 HR, 48 RBI over 106 games), recent games suggest a potential turning point.
In the game against Toronto, Betts went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. The homer he hit in the fifth inning broke a 1-1 tie in the game. In the seventh inning, he contributed a key grounder that drove in Shohei Ohtani.
The victory kept the Dodgers three games ahead of the San Diego Padres in the NL West. The Dodgers are currently 67-49 for the season and are hoping that Betts can continue his recent resurgence as they chase back-to-back World Series titles for the first time in franchise history.
Mookie Betts thanked his wife for putting confidence in him post-game. It was also Brianna Hammonds' birthday on August 7, and the Dodgers' victory was a fitting celebration for the couple. Betts missed the first two games of the season for the Dodgers due to an unexplained stomach virus, which he contracted earlier this season. A broken toe in June further derailed Betts' rhythm.
The Dodgers are looking forward to seeing more of Betts' improved offensive production as they move closer to the postseason.
Mookie Betts' impressive performance in baseball, such as the homer he hit against the Toronto Blue Jays in a crucial game on August 8, showcases his return to form in the MLB, particularly after a recent slump. His improved offensive production has the potential to significantly boost the Dodgers' offense and assist them in their pursuit of back-to-back World Series titles.