The Los Angeles Dodgers' hopes for a "three-peat" season continue to lean heavily on Mookie Betts finding his consistent form at the plate. While Betts has shown glimpses of his typical self in recent weeks, his overall performance has left manager Dave Roberts reminding the veteran of his considerable talent.
Betts' numbers leading into a recent series against the Milwaukee Brewers reflected a challenging season, with career lows in batting average (.239), on-base percentage (.295), and on-base-plus-slugging percentage (.709). Roberts confirmed he is "always trying to remind him who he is" when discussing Betts’ approach at the plate. The team relies on Betts' right-handed bat to balance a lineup of left-handed stars, particularly when Will Smith’s dependable presence is absent or when Kyle Tucker is unavailable in home games.
The 33-year-old, in his 13th major league season and seventh as a Dodger, has faced his share of misfortune. An oblique strain in early April sidelined him for over a month, following a mystery illness last season that caused significant weight loss. Data from Baseball Savant suggests Betts has also been unlucky, with his .278 expected batting average—a Statcast metric indicating the likelihood of a hit—being .039 points higher than his actual average, one of the largest discrepancies in the league. Despite this, Betts has been hitting the ball with increased authority, with his HardHit% up nearly 3% from last season and his exit velocity averaging 1.5 mph faster.
Earlier this month, Betts openly shared his frustration with reporters, noting the difficulty of hitting the ball hard without seeing results. He explained his daily effort to "restore that hope meter." Roberts, in turn, has consistently highlighted Betts’ decorated career as an MVP, eight-time All-Star, seven-time Silver Slugger, and former batting champion, along with his remarkable shift from right field to shortstop.
A recent nine-game stretch offered a promising turnaround, with Betts batting .387 (12 for 31) and slugging .645. Roberts observed a positive shift in Betts' demeanor and "swagger" during this period. The manager underscored Betts' critical role, describing him as "crucial" and an "emotional guy" whose performance directly influences the team's energy. As the season progresses, the Dodgers are hoping Betts continues to build on this momentum.
