The Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 5 of the World Series, giving them a 3-2 deficit as the series heads back to Toronto.
It was the second consecutive loss for LA — both of which came at home — and after the 18-inning Game 3 victory, the offense has been nonexistent.
Ahead of Wednesday’s contest, manager Dave Roberts shook up the starting lineup in an effort to get some more production from his bats. Andy Pages’ spot was swapped with Alex Call, and Will Smith was moved to the No. 2 spot while Mookie Betts was moved down to No. 3.
After an 0-for-4 night, the skipper spoke on Betts’ struggles and seemed hopeful that he will find his way out of it in Toronto.
More news: Dodgers Lose World Series Game 5 as Offense Disappears, Face Elimination Heading to Toronto
“I think he’s pressing,” Roberts said. “Hopefully the off-day, find a way to get away from it, and then go out there and just focus on one game and be good for one game. Go out there and compete. I think you can see there’s a little anxiousness in there. But it’s not the first time he’s struggled. It’s not the first time he’s faced elimination. And it’s not just Mookie. It’s everyone that’s got to to do their part, too.”
Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Tommy Edman, and Max Muncy were also hitless and walk-less, Call was 0-for-2 with a walk, and Smith was 1-for-4 with a ninth inning single after the game was well out of reach.
Betts is far from the only problem with the offense for LA, but his performance is easy to point to after Game 5 given his recent lineup shift, and his going just 3-for-23 so far this postseason.
The Dodgers will have to win two games in a row to become baseball’s first back-to-back champions in a quarter century, and both will have to be in Toronto.
Read more: Blue Jays’ Trey Yesavage Breaks 76-Year World Series Record in Game 5 vs LA
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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3 Responses
Jays seem to have extra enthusiasm and on a mission unlike the Dodgers who are definitely pressing. Jays are more deserving at this point easily if a deserving factor counts .Cheers
I have observed from my recliner that every batter seems to be trying to hit a home run, instead of trying to get on base. Why not hit some balls into the infield to advance the players on and get some runs? A bunt once in a while wouldn’t hurt, either.
Yes, the dodgers are pressing, but that doesn’t absolve Betts one bit! He’s the most overrated $350,000,000 player in history! And it doesn’t absolve Roberts’ under reporting and minimizing and rationalizing it. It only exacerbates it! I understand one is not supposed to air “dirty laundry” in public, but Betts has earned a demotion in the batting order to the last part of the line-up, not the first or middle part. He’s proven to be abominable at the plate and unreliable, at best! He’s a liability and a major reason to the losing!