Former Red Sox RF Mookie Betts struggling big in NLCS
I want to start this off by making it very clear that we love us some Mookie Betts here at BoSox Injection. It’s hard to hate on a guy who’s that good and is seemingly just a damn good dude. Though Betts is no longer with the Red Sox and will spend more of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, I still find myself rooting for him to succeed each and every night. With that said, Betts is having an absolutely dreadful NLCS and his cold spell couldn’t be coming at a worse time.
Two nights ago the Dodgers flexed their muscles after getting beaten down by the Braves in the first two games of the NLCS. They scored a record-setting 11 runs in the first inning of Wednesday night’s Game 3, and it all started off with Mookie getting on base after an overturned call. Things wouldn’t stay in favor of the blue squad as the Braves pounced once again in Game 4 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
For Betts, a disappointing October isn’t something new as he was bounced quickly from the playoffs in both 2016 and 2017 as a member of the Red Sox. Obviously, we all know what happened in 2018 under Alex Cora and what will go down as the greatest team in franchise history.
The thing is, Mookie wasn’t much of a factor in that World Series run though as he posted averages of .188, .217, and .217 in the ALDS, ALCS, and World Series respectively. For as great as he was during the regular season, he was the opposite in the postseason.
Fast-forward to 2020 and Betts has reverted back to his 2018 self but with a twist. Betts was impossible to get out during the Wild Card round as well as the NLDS. He finished with a .429/.500/.857/1.357 line in the NLWC and a .333/.400/.500/.900 in the NLDS. Pretty damn good numbers from the former AL MVP and a guy who should receive plenty of votes for the NL MVP this year. Unfortunately, he’s sitting on a .143/.294/.143/.437 line right now and has all but disappeared.
It’s a bit concerning to see a guy who was absolutely white-hot just go ice cold and disappear when the Dodgers need him the most. I’m not too worried about Mookie getting his groove back though, it’s not as if he’s been missing all postseason.
We’ve got to give credit to the Atlanta Braves who’ve manhandled LA from the getgo and don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. If Los Angeles wants to finally get over the postseason hump then they need Betts to remember how damn good he is at this baseball stuff.
The Dodgers are currently in the playoffs for their eighth consecutive year but for the eighth consecutive year, they’re also about to be sent home without the Commissioner’s Trophy. Now, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. If Red Sox Nation knows anything, it’s that being down 3-1 doesn’t mean a damn thing.
In those eight years, LA has been eliminated from the NLDS three times, NLCS twice, lost in the World Series twice and is one game away from adding another NLCS exit to their ledger. It’s great to make it to the postseason that frequently for a smaller club, but for teams like the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Yankees, you need to win titles. Just getting invited to the dance isn’t enough, you’ve gotta be the Prom King.
Ahead of this season the Dodgers and Red Sox made a deal that shook the baseball world and saw Betts make his way to Hollywood. It definitely hurt to see him in that Dodger blue but if you’ve watched Mookie at all this season then you’ve noticed the same thing I have, he seems much happier.
From the spring training up until now, he just seems like a much happier player on the field and off of it. Something that we saw a glimpse of during the 2018 season when things were going great but would quickly disappear.
More from Red Sox News
- Red Sox Nation deserves far more from Fenway Sports Group
- Bizarre trade deadline comes back to haunt Red Sox after Nathan Eovaldi departure
- Red Sox’ Moneyball-style offseason continues with Corey Kluber contract
- Rich Hill’s Red Sox departure puts him within striking distance of unique MLB record
- Red Sox offseason takes another nasty hit with Nathan Eovaldi departure
I’m hoping the Dodgers can figure it out and get the train back on the tracks and not just for Mookie’s sake. Dave Roberts will forever be beloved by Red Sox fans the world over for his stolen base heroics in the 2004 ALCS. If LA gets booted from the postseason once again without winning a championship, then I can’t see his future in Hollywood lasting much longer.
Neither may be with the Red Sox anymore but I want nothing but the best for them. The only time I won’t root for a former Boston player is if they put on the pinstripes, you’re dead to me at that point., and I’m sure the feeling is mutual going the other way. I don’t know what the Dodgers need to do to right the ship but they’re nine very short innings away from having to pack it up and go home empty-handed once again.
For Mookie, finishing out the NLCS strong and helping LA get back to the World Series would cap off one hell of a year and could see him add another ring to his collection. If the Dodgers get eliminated in such a quick fashion, it could cause an instant reaction that he may not be worth the 12 yr/$365M extension he signed not too long ago. One thing is clear, if Los Angeles wants another shot at the Commissioner’s Trophy, they’ll need Mookie Betts to get back to his MVP form.