Camelback Ranch is buzzing again, and this time the focus is on the batting order. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has confirmed that Mookie Betts is expected to hit third in Los Angeles’ lineup for the 2026 MLB season.
The announcement, first reported by MLB.com‘s Sonja Chen, gives the clearest indication yet of how the Dodgers plan to structure one of baseball’s most dangerous offenses.
Shohei Ohtani is set to remain in the leadoff spot, while the second and fourth positions are still under review. Roberts acknowledged that an Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Betts, Freddie Freeman top four “would probably make the most sense.”
Dodgers in 2026: A lineup built for traffic and damage
Putting Betts in the third spot is not random. It places him in a premium run-producing role, with more chances to hit with runners on base and consistent protection behind him.
Betts is coming off a 2025 season in which he hit .258 with 20 home runs and 82 RBIs. Solid numbers for most players, but modest compared to his career standards. According to Baseball-Reference, Betts owns a lifetime .292 batting average and has surpassed 30 home runs in five separate seasons.
Roberts addressed the internal expectations, noting that elite players tend to be their toughest critics. The organization believes Betts is capable of returning to MVP-level production.
With Ohtani expected to set the table, the opportunities should increase. Ohtani posted a .412 on-base percentage in 2024, per MLB.com. More baserunners in front of Betts means more RBI situations, especially early in games.
“The great ones expect more and are more critical of themselves. So I would like to think that Mookie has something to prove for himself…
New pieces, different dynamic
The Dodgers did not stand still this offseason. The addition of Kyle Tucker adds another high-level bat to an already stacked order. Tucker hit .284 with 29 home runs in 2024, according to official MLB statistics, and brings left-handed power that complements Freeman’s steady presence in the middle.
Freddie Freeman, who hit .331 in 2023, remains one of the most reliable hitters in baseball. Analysts across MLB Network have pointed out that a potential Ohtani-Tucker-Betts-Freeman sequence creates matchup problems for almost any pitching staff.
For Betts, this is also about resetting personally. He recently spoke about “rewiring” his body after illness disrupted part of his preparation last year. He said that before getting sick, he was having one of his strongest springs in recent memory and is focused on regaining that rhythm.
Why this decision matters in October
Lineup placement can shape a season. Batting third increases plate appearances in key moments and often defines the offensive identity of a team. By keeping Betts in the heart of the order rather than sliding him down, Roberts is signaling trust.
There is precedent for a rebound. After a comparatively quiet 2021 season, Betts responded in 2022 with 35 home runs, per Baseball-Reference. The Dodgers are betting that a similar bounce back is within reach.
Spring training will determine the final configuration, but the direction is clear. The Dodgers are building a lineup designed to apply pressure from the first pitch. If Betts finds his rhythm, the middle of that order could become the engine that drives another deep postseason run.
“Just kind of rewiring my body to do what I wanted it to do. Even though it was down last year, before I got sick, I was probably having one of the best springs I’ve ever had. So I just got to get back to just rewiring and trusting myself…
Sources: Statistical data from MLB.com and Baseball-Reference. Reporting references include Sonja Chen of MLB.com and statements from Dave Roberts via Dodger Blue.
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