The Los Angeles Dodgers enter play Sunday leading the National League West by 10.5 games, making them a near lock to win the division, and they are on pace to win what would be a franchise-record 110 games.
Recently the Dodgers have played at a remarkable level, winning 26 of their last 33 games, and 18 of the last 20. While nearly everyone is playing well, the Dodgers have been led by their three superstars in Mookie Betts, Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman.
Over the last 30 days, Freeman has been hotter than anyone with a 207 wRC+, while Turner has posted a 143 wRC+, and a 127 mark for Betts. On Saturday, all three of homered in the same game for the first time this season as the Dodgers went on to defeat the San Francisco Giants, 4-2, to give them their seventh straight win.
“Everyone in our lineup feeds off those guys,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Certainly having those guys get on base, slugging, scoring runs and running deep counts, it just has an exponential effect for the rest of the guys and is really taxing on the opposition.
“To see those guys playing the way they are, obviously as they go, we go.”
Both Freeman and Turner have started every one of the Dodgers’ 93 games this season, only getting short rests on days off or exiting a few innings early in a blowout. Betts has appeared in 76 games, only being limited by a fractured rib that he ended up playing through once the pain subsided enough.
That desire to play everyday is something that has made them leaders in the clubhouse and their mindset has spread to other players on the team.
“It’s kind of part of their DNA,” Roberts said. “You’ve got to get to a certain point where you’re not looking to get out of the lineup, and that’s mental toughness but you’ve got to kind of learn that. Those guys throughout their careers, that’s what they’ve done.
“The season is grueling on everyone, but to be able to go out there day-in and day-out, not run from a matchup, or if you’re not feeling your best, still go out there and have that expectation to perform. They do it as good as I’ve seen.
“You look at what they do for Gavin in particular, I think he’s really understanding what it takes to get your body and mind right to be out there every day. Will is a guy that I’ve got to fight to get out of the lineup, and even Cody. He’s been struggling, but he’s not running to get out of the lineup, so certainly having those guys lead has been very helpful for all of us.”
Although there are many great players across MLB, Roberts believes there is a different level Betts, Turner and Freeman are on within the superstar category.
“I think superstar players, there’s guys that are talented and productive, but there’s also superstar players that post every day and grind it out every single day whether they’re getting hits or not,” Roberts explained.
“Fortunately, those three guys are in that same class. They just love to play, they love to compete.
“When you play a long season, it’s really helpful to have talented players that don’t want off days. They feel the best chance for us to win a ballgame is having them in there.”
Dodgers among teams interested in Juan Soto
The Dodgers have the chance to add another superstar to their lineup in Juan Soto, who the Washington Nationals surprisingly made available after he reportedly rejected a 15-year, $440 million contract offer.
At just 23 years old, Soto is already thought of as one of the top offensive players in the league. His resume includes the 2020 batting title, two Silver Slugger Awards and being a key contributor during the Nationals’ 2019 World Series title run.
It isn’t every day a player of Soto’s caliber becomes available, and several contenders are lining up for the opportunity to acquire him, including the Dodgers.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
