The Los Angeles Dodgers have been on a hot streak in September, and it starts with their offense getting back on track after an awful month of August.
Their lineup breaking out has coincided with Teoscar Hernandez, Kyle Tucker and Mookie Betts starting to produce at expected levels, and the return of Will Smith from the injured list. However, it has come without Shohei Ohtani as he’s currently on the 15-day injured list, and Freddie Freeman has been in a major slump due to right knee tendinitis.
Even without two of their biggest bats producing, the Dodgers have answered a lot of questions about their offense. They have taken better at-bats, they’re hitting the ball harder, and there is an increased focus and intensity with each pitch.
But with little left to play for after clinching the National League West and currently in a great spot to lock up the number two seed, that could lead to the Dodgers taking their foot off the gas in their final few games.
“We’re just playing good ball right now,” Betts said. “Just got to keep playing good ball and keep going through the end of the season. We don’t want any letups; we don’t want to try turning anything on once the postseason starts. We just want to play good ball and we want that to be our identity.”
The Dodgers are also starting to get healthy at the right time, which further boosts their confidence heading into October.
Andy Pages and Ohtani are both on the verge of returning, and Roki Sasaki should re-join the pitching staff soon as well. In addition, the Dodgers remain optimistic that Edgardo Henriquez will be back for the playoffs.
“It’s been good. We just have to keep playing,” Betts said. “Get guys to come back, like (Edwin) Díaz tonight. Get a couple more guys back and we should be ready to roll.”
What Mookie Betts thinks of Dodgers lineup
With nearly everyone in the lineup hitting well right now, Betts has seen both a positive and a negative effect from it. Betts described it as taking pressure off because you can trust the players behind you, but you’re also coming up to bat in RBI situations and big moments far more often because of the success of the hitters in front of you.
“It’s easier, but it’s also tough,” Betts began. “Because there’s constantly guys on base, so the constant need for that hit. But I think that’s the beauty in it. We just keep giving ourselves opportunities, and eventually something will crack like it did tonight.
“We just have to keep getting guys on base and giving ourselves a chance. The hits will fall.”
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