The Los Angeles Dodgers face a tough challenge ahead without Mookie Betts in the lineup as he is out for at least two weeks due to a fractured rib.
However, they still have a deep lineup that features Trea Turner, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith, among other talented players.
For Freeman specifically, this is the second season in a row he’s become more important to his lineup as he was also expected to step up when Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL with the Atlanta Braves in 2021.
Thankfully for the Dodgers, Betts is still expected to return this season, unlike Acuña last year, and with that experience under his belt, Freeman said he is comfortable being relied upon more, via SportsNet LA:
“It’s my second year in a row where we’ve lost one of the best players in all of baseball, so this isn’t anything new that I’ve seen. Losing Mookie is obviously a huge blow, but that just means a lot of guys have got to step up. No one is going to replace what Mookie has done this whole season, so we’ve just got to step up and carry it. Hopefully he can get back soon.”
When asked what he could take from that experience last year, Freeman had a light-hearted response:
“It worked out alright. A lot of guys got hot and made some really good trades.”
The Braves went out and made multiple trades to bring in the likes of Jorge Solar, Eddie Rosario and Joe Pederson. While none of them were star players, it ended up working out for Atlanta as they went on to win the World Series.
The Dodgers made a deal to acquire Trayce Thompson while Betts is out and have relied upon Eddy Alvarez, who they signed to a Minor League contract this past offseason.
It’s not possible to replace the production of Betts totally, but the Dodgers will hope a team effort can help them pick up his production until their superstar returns.
Turner: Dodgers need to do ‘small things’
The Dodgers’ will look to others to replace Betts’ production and the past two nights against the Reds has been an encouraging start.
Turner believes the Dodgers need to ensure they are successful in all facets of offense in order to consistently win games.
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