Mookie Betts is surging at the perfect time, dismantling pitchers in a way that cements the Los Angeles Dodgers as a formidable force entering the postseason.
Mookie Betts has spent much of the season searching for his swing. With the Los Angeles Dodgers nearing the postseason, he has found it at the plate.
Betts went 4-for-4 with three doubles, two RBIs, one walk and two runs scored in Saturday’s 10-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
The performance followed his two home runs in Friday’s series opener at Dodger Stadium, when he went 3-for-4.
Betts’ best version
According to Dodger Blue, Betts said that he knew he was still capable of hitting this way. He said his focus was on continuing to build a foundation and allowing the game to unfold.
“Yeah, I mean, this is it,” Betts said.
“I know I’m still capable of it; it’s in there somewhere. So just got to keep on rolling, keep on, like I said, laying the foundation and letting the game be the game.”
Betts struggled offensively for much of the season but has become one of the Dodgers’ hottest hitters as of late. He is 25-for-67 (.373) with seven doubles, six home runs and 20 RBIs in his last 17 games.
He credited the improvement to seeing the ball better and finding greater consistency in his swing. Betts said he is hitting pitches in the middle of the strike zone hard while taking balls outside it.
“Oh, I think it’s both,” Betts explained.
“Swing is a little more consistent, hitting balls in the middle of the zone hard, and able to take balls. So that’s the name of the game. Hit strikes hard and take balls.”
Betts has repeatedly adjusted his swing this year, and that work is producing results during the final weeks of the regular season. Los Angeles hopes to carry his resurgence into a deep postseason run.
Manager Dave Roberts supported Betts throughout his struggles, although he acknowledged that he had not anticipated a turnaround of this magnitude.
Roberts said Betts appeared stronger, praised the work behind his improvement and noted that he continues to put in that effort.
Roberts has also tried to keep Betts confident. He said Betts’ teammates have supported him and described this as his best sustained stretch in some time.
“You know, I didn’t,” Roberts said.
“I couldn’t tell you that I saw this, but I just felt that he was stronger. He’s worked hard on that. He looks great. He’s not going to stop working, and just for it to come together has been great.
“I think for me, it’s just trying to keep him confident. His teammates have poured into him, and again, it’s as good as we’ve seen him over a consistent period in a while.”
Betts’ value
Betts’ recent success reflects more than a mechanical adjustment. His willingness to keep working while results lagged required patience, particularly for a player accustomed to making an immediate impact.
He can drive a pitch without abandoning the discipline that makes him difficult to face. When he recognizes a ball outside the strike zone, he can let it pass and wait for a better opportunity.
That approach becomes valuable when pitchers change their plans to avoid his bat. Betts can respond within an at-bat instead of forcing contact on their terms.
He also brings experience in handling the attention that comes with a prominent place in the Dodgers’ lineup. After months of searching and adjusting, Betts is seeing pitches clearly, trusting his swing and giving Los Angeles the at-bats it has missed from him.
