Dodgers Make Potentially Costly Mookie Betts Decision as Struggles Persist

Going into the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers trio of Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman was once again expected to lead the team offensively.

However, Betts has not played up to his standards this year. He is slashing .233/.305/.358 with just 11 home runs. In his last 19 games, he is hitting .149 with a .413 OPS. Despite his struggles, he has continuously hit near the top of the Dodgers’ order.

He has hit in the leadoff spot 10 times, and has hit in the No. 2 spot in every other start. Dave Roberts has decided that Betts will remain near the top of the order despite his offensive woes, according to FOX Sports’ Rowan Kavner.

“I’m going to continue to believe in him and trust that he’s the best option,” Roberts said of Betts.

Betts’ season started off with a bizarre illness that caused him to lose a significant amount of weight. The eight-time All-Star has not performed like he would have hoped, and the Dodgers are risking sticking by him. The Dodgers could shake up the lineup and see some better results, but Roberts does not think there are any real alternatives.

“You’ve got to think of the alternatives,” Roberts said, per ESPN’s Alden González. “How guys are swinging right now and the way I look at our lineup and the way guys are swinging, there’s no better alternative. Also, given that Will Smith doesn’t play every day, you’re trying to not mix and match the top of the order when the catcher plays three out of four or whatever it is. So that’s kind of the math. It’s very clear to me there’s always suggestions and thoughts, but if you don’t have a better alternative, then it falls on deaf ears. Or my deaf ears.”

The Dodgers’ offense scored the third-fewest runs in all of baseball in July. Keeping Betts at the top of the order could be a costly decision as the postseason gets closer.

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