Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Wants to See More MVP Love For Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman
The race for the National League Most Valuable Player title is nearing as there are a little over 50 games left to be played in the season.
Ronald Acuna Jr. for the Atlanta Braves is currently the favorite to win MVP by fans and Vegas alike. Being at -1000 on FanDuel, the 25-year-old star is having a career year hitting .335 while leading the league in stolen bases currently at 51.
While he may be in the lead right now, two players are right on his tail… and they are on the same team. Los Angeles Dodgers Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts are having outstanding years for the team and the biggest reason the club is looking at challenging for a World Series.
Fans and writers understand the historic seasons all three players are having in 2023, but the Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, has put out his opinion for the race.
“I know [Atlanta outfielder Ronald] Acuña is doing his thing over there, which is really impressive, but if you look at Freddie’s ability to post, drive in runs, hit for average, slug, he’s definitely in the MVP conversation,” Roberts said. “And Mookie is not far behind.”
(via Mike Digiovanna, The Los Angeles Times)
Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts are having career years for the team.
The former is currently hitting .341 while leading the league with 40 doubles. According to Fangraphs, Freeman is currently on pace for 61 doubles in the season which will certainly lead the league. That, combined with a +.330 average, 30+ home runs, and over 100 RBIs, the 33-year-old veteran will have his eyes on earning his second career MVP title, this time for the Dodgers. Oh, and he is also on pace for over 20 stolen bases as well.
Mookie Betts is chasing personal bests in power numbers in 2023. Currently at 29 home runs, the perennial All-Star, Gold Glover, and Silver Slugger is on pace to hit 45 home runs which would beat his personal best of 35 which he set just last year. That adds to the fact that he has also started 41 games this season at second or shortstop which he hasn’t consistently done since his rookie year when he started 14 games at second.
The impact and utility both these players bring to the team in Chavez Ravine allow for some friendly competition in the club and some not-so-friendly competition to the favorite playing for the other National League World Series top contender.
At 62-45, the Dodgers have only 55 games left in the regular season. In these games, fans get to sit back and watch the highlight reels that both Mookie and Freddie will be putting up as they compete for the MLB’s most valuable award.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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