The Los Angeles Dodgers concluded their longest road trip of the second half with Shohei Ohtani back in the leadoff spot of the lineup after being moved down to second in favor of Mookie Betts for 10 of the past 12 games.
Ohtani hit first for the Dodgers twice during that span due to Betts not being in the lineup because of his step father passing away.
Betts was back to hitting second for the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
“Just trying to figure out what’s best short term, longer term. We’ve got Munce coming back soon, Will is not playing every day obviously as a catcher,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained.
“What I felt with today, Teo not being in there, this was the best lineup today. That’s kind of where I’m at right now.”
Roberts moved Betts into the leadoff spot on July 20, one day after benching his shortstop amid a season-long slump and with the hope it would help him emerge from the rut. Roberts estimated the change would be in place at least until Max Muncy returned from the injured list.
“I think he’s still not right mechanically, clearly. I do know it hasn’t affected Shohei, so that’s a good thing,” Roberts said on July 23. “And I do think getting Mookie on base sets the stage. I still like the mindset of being a table setter and finding a way to get on base anyway he can, to get that on-base (percentage) up.
“And then the hits will start coming, the slug, all that stuff. But I think it looks right. I like it.”
Betts hit .205/.289/.256 with two doubles, two RBI, five walks and six strikeouts in 45 plate appearances over his 10 games as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter. The team went 5-5 during that span.
Betts’ quality of contact improved at times, and Roberts was particularly encouraged by a hard-hit ball to third base and deep fly ball to left field in the Dodgers’ shutout loss on Saturday.
“I thought yesterday, in a vacuum, I thought he had a good offensive day. I really did. I thought he had good at-bats, I thought he squared the ball up,” Roberts said.
“Other days, it looks like he’s lost. I know he’s frustrated and obviously at a point now where he wants results, which I can appreciate. But hopefully he can build on the at-bat quality from yesterday and go from there.”
Despite some of the optimism, the Dodgers largely remain at a loss over Betts’ continued struggles.
“I know he and the hitting coaches have been working diligently, consistently, intentionally. I think the easiest thing to say is it’s a mechanical thing,” Roberts said. “So I guess that’s kind of where he’s at.
“But also, I do believe there’s a mental part of it, too. It’s sort of beaten him down a little bit, where I’m just trying to continue to instill my faith and confidence in him.”
Mookie Betts possibly moving down in Dodgers lineup
While Betts was back to hitting second, Roberts did not rule out the possibility of moving him to a new spot in the Dodgers lineup.
“I’ve thought about it. I think it’s totally a fair question. I’m just trying to figure out what would be best for him, for the team,” he said. “But yeah, I’ve thought about it. Again, you’ve still got Andy, Teo, scuffling as well, and not having Muncy back.
“So trying to figure out what makes sense. It’s a fair question, but not right now.”
Roberts additionally acknowledged he has considered giving Betts more days off. But he noted the Dodgers roster is not at full strength and that Betts is bringing value with his defensive play at shortstop.
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