Mookie Betts has yet to make a huge offensive impact for the Los Angeles Dodgers through the first four games of the 2023 season, but his defense has already shined.
Betts started at second base for the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday and went 1-for-3 at the plate, but his defensive impact provided one of the most important moments of the game.
The 2018 American League MVP moved to his natural position of right field in the ninth inning with the game tied 1-1 and a win probability of 50% for each team.
However, a leadoff double for Ketel Marte against Brusdar Graterol increased the D-Backs odds by 17.2%. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. followed that with a single to right, which led to Marte trying to score on the play.
That proved to be a poor idea as Betts threw a perfect strike to home to prevent Marte from scoring.
“It’s pretty impressive,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “To play seven innings of second base and first play out there, throw a strike to home to really impact the game at that point, it’s just pretty special. He didn’t miss a beat at second base and to go through an entire game like that is pretty special.”
Betts’ throw cut Arizona’s odds of winning by 17%, which made it the second-most impactful play of the game up to that point. And perhaps even more impressive is Will Smith hardly had to move to make the tag at home.
“That was special,” Smith said. “I didn’t know if it was going to bounce or not because his ball always carries a little bit. It was a perfect throw and we got the tag on him.”
Unfortunately for the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks still ended up taking the lead a few hitters later and L.A.’s offense was unable to add a run of their own as they dropped the game 2-1.
When dating back to the 2020 season, Betts has now thrown out Marte three times, including twice this year.
Will Smith expects players to stop running on Mookie Betts
That was Betts’ second outfield of the season, so Smith would be surprised if players keep deciding to run on Betts.
“Yeah,” Smith answered when asked if he believes players will stop attempting to run on Betts. “I wouldn’t.”
So far, Betts is one of two players who already have multiple outfield assists. He is currently tied with Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos.
Betts finished with eight during the 2022 season, and he holds a career-high of 14 assists for the Boston Red Sox in 2016.
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!
