Mookie Betts proved he still possesses the championship-caliber fire needed for the Los Angeles Dodgers' three-peat pursuit.
The Los Angeles Dodgers haven't been too sure what to do with Mookie Betts this season.
The 33-year-old has had his moments, no doubt, but he's certainly had a few rough patches here in 2026.
Betts drew three walks in his first three games back from the All-Star break, but he was 0-for-10 in that span.
Manager Dave Roberts decided he had to move Betts to fifth in the Dodgers' lineup, a decision that may have lit a fire under the 2018 American League MVP.
Betts is a four-time World Series Champion for a reason. He may not have been an All-Star either of these last two seasons, but he just went 4-for-5 against the Philadelphia Phillies on a night that saw him hit not one, but two home runs.
Betts homers in seventh and ninth innings
The Dodgers trailed 8-3 going into the seventh inning, but Betts made sure he did everything in his power to keep his team alive. In the end, they fell, 10-7, but Betts drove in three of his team's seven runs, and that speaks volumes as to how impactful he can still be.
"That was certainly a nice silver lining for tonight," Roberts said, according to MLB.com. "All of his at-bats were really good. … I just saw that fire tonight. The good conviction in the swings."
Roberts continued, "I just think that he's better than what he's showing. Do I have the expectations of when he was considerably younger, playing the outfield? No, I don't. I think that's an unfair expectation. I have a hard time really answering what my expectation is.
"I just know that he helps us win baseball games. He's playing a premium position. I feel like hitting him fifth vs. second, third or fourth, I still think takes a little bit of offensive strain, given the position he's playing."
Betts first multi-hit game since July 2
Betts was on a heater as he slashed .375/.408/.653 in a 17-game span up until that point. Once July 2 hit, he managed to record just four hits in 11 games.
"I've been here before, so it's not necessarily uncharted territory. But I'd like to not continue to be here," said the eight-time All-Star and seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner. "It's been a couple years now, and I don't believe this is who I am. I feel like tonight lets me know I still can do something."
Betts had his struggles in 2025 as well, but he kicked it up a notch at the end of the season. Knowing the Dodgers are eyeing a three-peat, this team would love to have another late resurgence here in 2026.
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