Mookie Betts’ individual performance at the start of the 2025 season was not what he expected, from the stomach upset that forced him to miss the Tokyo Series in which Los Angeles Dodgers started with a pair of wins over the Chicago Cubs, to some April numbers that the shortstop himself described as “trash” with a .230 batting average.
In statements published in the Los Angeles Times, Betts compared himself to Ohtani and acknowledged that unlike the Japanese player’s power, he needs to be precise when making his swing.
“Unfortunately, I can’t not have my swing. On that day, but still hit something and it goes over the fence or whatever. Even when I have my swing A, if I don’t get it, it’s not going to be a home run. If I don’t hit the ball in that gap, they’re going to catch it,” Ohtani reflected on his game.
Even Dodgers hitting manager Van Scoyoc backed Betts’ frustration, considering that mentally it was a challenge for him: “He felt that he was not taking advantage of all the effort he made during the preseason.”
Betts-Ohtani duo keeps Dodgers afloat
The Dodgers have faced irregularity at times this season, including a thrashing by the Cubs that was the worst shutout at home in franchise history, as well as the inevitable injuries that no team can escape.
After overcoming adversity and turning their rotation and bullpen into a hospital, the Dodgers have come through to establish themselves as the best team in MLB ahead of the Mets, Padres and Giants.
The duo of Betts and Ohtani have combined to carry the Dodgers‘ offense, along with Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez in the main part of the lineup.
Ohtani has 10 home runs and a .296 batting average, while Betts has improved to .264 and five home runs, with 21 runs batted in.
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