After the retirement of Red Sox legend David Ortiz, many believed Mookie Betts would be the next great middle of the order bat the Red Sox could lean on. While he didn’t post numbers close to his MVP runner-up season of last year, Mookie still put together a great all-around season. This fall will be Mookie’s second taste of the postseason, and even though he couldn’t help replace Ortiz’
This fall will be Mookie’s second taste of the postseason, and even though he couldn’t help replace Ortiz’ regular-season production this year, there’s still a chance for Mookie to become Red Sox October hero in his own right if he can get hot in the coming weeks.
Mookie has a chance at redemption. After a lackluster regular season by his standards and a 2016 postseason that saw him go just 2-for-10 over the course of their three games against Cleveland last fall, Red Sox fans will be looking for him to make noise in a big spot at long last. We know Mookie is going to be able to provide incredible value to this team with his base running and fielding, but where this team needs him desperately will be at the plate against Houston.
Even in a lackluster season, Mookie was still able to put together a campaign of 24 home runs. 26 steals, and 103 RBIs. While the average and slugging may have been lacking, Mookie was still able to provide value in all other aspects of the game. For the Red Sox to get past Houston in the American League Division Series though, he’ll need to bring his bat.