Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Can’t Evade MVP Talk
Fantastic all season and a surefire contender for the NL MVP, Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts, try as he might, simply hasn’t been able to dodge such a thought from crossing his mind.
Amplified by an early September showdown with fellow frontrunner Ronald Acuña Jr., Betts’ mindset while hoping for the individual award, remains focused on another championship in LA.
“It’s kind of hard to not be on my mind. It’s being brought up all the time. It’s kind of hard to not know about it,” Betts said. “But that’s a cool, super-dope thing. I’m really not that concerned. That’s the future. I don’t know what’s going to happen then. One thing I want to make sure is that I’m healthy enough to help the guys to get to the World Series and hopefully bring one home.”
via Bill Plunkett, OC Register
Losing the individual and team battle to the Braves and their own mercurial superstar, Betts and the Dodgers have had a rough start to September.
Regardless, this has been Betts’ best season in Dodger blue both on the stat sheet and for the most part health wise.
The caveat on the latter front is the fact that Betts fouled off a pitch that bruised his foot and missed the first two games in the series with the Washington Nationals on the road.
Nevertheless, the right fielder (and middle infielder this year) has proven his worth on both sides of the ball, scorching through August with one of the hottest months baseball has ever seen.
Winning the Player of the Month award for the National League for his efforts to end the summer month. Betts’ foot injury shouldn’t keep him out for too long.
Hitting for his best marks in average since his AL MVP winning season for the Red Sox in 2018, Betts has set a new career high in home runs despite his perceived small frame.
Leading the league in a number of other offensive categories, Betts still leads Acuña Jr. in many of them including the tell all WAR due to his better defense compared to Atlanta’s right fielder.
Starting off slow in September while Acuña Jr. has continued his hot streak, the Braves superstar may have won the battle for the MVP, but in the war for World Series glory, such a fight will need to be settled over seven games among the two titans of the NL.
Photo Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
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