Two months into the season, Mookie Betts faced a rough patch, sidelined for over a month with an oblique issue and struggling with the worst offensive numbers of his career. But just like a true champion, Betts has turned things around in spectacular fashion.
While big names like Shohei Ohtani and Andy Pages have been in a bit of a slump recently, Betts has risen to the occasion, reminding fans of his 2022 and 2023 form. Just this Saturday, during the Dodgers’ explosive nine-run sixth inning against the San Diego Padres, Betts blasted his third home run in as many games.
Over his last 13 games, he's been on fire, posting a scorching .358/.407/.698 slash line, with five home runs and nine RBIs.
Initially, Betts was the Dodgers' go-to no. 2 hitter, but since being moved to the cleanup spot on May 26 against the Colorado Rockies, he’s made it his own. This shift has been significant, especially considering that the cleanup position had been one of the lineup's weaker links. With Betts and Pages heading in different directions performance-wise, the Dodgers might be considering another lineup shuffle to maximize their offensive potential.
Meanwhile, Kyle Tucker was a key player in that same nine-run inning on Saturday, launching a two-run homer off Randy Vásquez and wrapping up the game with an impressive 3-for-5 performance and four RBIs. Tucker's first year with the Dodgers hasn't been all smooth sailing, entering Saturday's game with a modest .700 OPS.
However, his standout performance against the Padres showcased his potential value to the lineup. Reflecting on his game with Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA, Tucker admitted, “I didn’t love my swing tonight.
The homer, I caught the ball at the right point of contact. The other ones, I got inside the ball a little bit and I got them over to left [field] over the infielder, so it just kind of works out sometimes.”
On the pitching side, Roki Sasaki has had a challenging stretch. Just when it seemed like he was finding his groove in the big leagues, some old habits crept back in.
Over his last three starts, Sasaki has posted a tough 8.36 ERA, including a recent outing against the Padres where he allowed three runs and issued five walks. Sasaki acknowledged the struggle, noting that he couldn't execute his pitches as planned.
With his next start also against San Diego, he's focused on refining his strategy. As he told Sonja Chen of MLB.com, “I’m not going to have it every time out, so that’s something I have to improve.
And also the gameplan. I was able to execute some of the pitches, but some of the pitches I couldn’t, so that’s something I have to go through before next start.”
As the season unfolds, Betts' resurgence, Tucker's potential, and Sasaki's adjustments will be storylines to watch closely. The Dodgers are clearly a team with plenty of talent, and how they harness it could define their season.
In Other News...
Dodgers Suddenly Have A New Dalton Rushing Concern Against Padres
Dalton Rushing gave the Dodgers a boost in a 15-3 win over the Padres, going deep as part of a night that reinforced why the club has liked his bat. Even with the home run, though, the at-bat drew attention for reasons that had nothing to do with power, as the rookie looked uncomfortable enough for the Dodgers to take a closer look.
Dave Roberts and the team trainer eventually came out to check on him, and Rushing did not seem to want the interruption. He repeatedly waved them off and showed plenty of irritation in the moment, which leaves the Dodgers with at least a little concern heading out of a game that otherwise felt lopsided in their favor. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Make Another Statement Against Padres In Rivalry Win
The weekend finale between the Dodgers and Padres had the familiar edge of a division rivalry, and Los Angeles came away with another useful reminder of why these games still matter. A 4-2 win in San Diego gave the Dodgers the series edge for the season, with Emmet Sheehan working effectively on the mound and Mookie Betts providing the kind of multi-hit, run-producing night that keeps the offense moving in tight games.
Edgardo Henriquez finished it off with his first save of the season, a small but notable step in a bullpen role that can change quickly in a long summer. The Dodgers also had to keep surviving late pressure as the Padres kept finding ways to put runners in position to turn the game, which only added to the sense that this was less a tidy win than another hard-earned statement in a rivalry that rarely stays quiet for long. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Have One Lingering Pitching Question Fans Can't Ignore
The Dodgers are wrapping up a nine-game road trip in Sacramento with a three-game set against the Athletics, and the trip already has the feel of one that has done plenty to steady the club. They have clinched a winning road swing and keep sitting comfortably atop the NL West, so the focus is less on survival and more on fine-tuning the rotation as the schedule keeps moving.
Monday brings another look at the depth that has carried them through stretches of the season, with Lauer on the mound after six hitless innings in his last outing and a strong run since joining the Dodgers after being designated for assignment by Toronto. The middle game pairs Justin Wrobleski with Jeffrey Springs, who has been giving up too many home runs, and then Wednesday offers the part of the series that will draw the most attention as Shohei Ohtani is set to pitch while trying to bounce back from a rough stretch. [Read more 🡒]