Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Puts Onus on Himself, Freddie Freeman to Turn Offense Around
Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman drove the Dodgers’ offensive engine for most of the regular season, but this NLDS is proving that October is a brand new ball game.
Through games 1 and 2 of the series, the two superstars have been missing in action prompting Betts to comment on his lackluster production in the biggest games of LA’s season.
“All of us have to get going,” said Mookie Betts. “We had a couple of opportunities. We just didn’t cash it in. For me and Freddie, that’s kind of our role. We’re not doing it, and (we) take ownership in that. Just got to figure out a way. No excuses.”
via Dodgers Nation TV
For one reason or another, the best 1-2 punch in all of baseball is faltering down the stretch at the worst possible time.
Betts’ MVP pace severely tapered off in September and it appears that such a cold streak has continued into the postseason when his team absolutely could not afford it.
Freeman’s own MVP caliber season also trailed off around the same time and both him and Betts are a combined 1-13 through the first two games of the divisional series.
Offense continues to be a struggle for Dave Roberts’ club despite some expert management of his bullpen in wake of Bobby Miller’s shaky first postseason start.
Roberts mentioned that his superstars will need to be their best with their backs against the wall and no more margin for error.
“Yeah, I mean, they’re our two best players. I think that they know that, so it’s pretty much — we all know that. The last thing I want to do, though, is be redundant in the sense of, ‘We need these guys.’ When you start getting into that kind of mindset, it’s just — in baseball and hitting, in particular — it’s just not helpful. They understand their responsibilities, their role on this ballclub. For me it’s just go out there and be themselves and take good at-bats. And that’s all they can control.”
via Dodgers Nation TV
LA faces yet another embarrassing playoff exit against a divisional rival for the second straight season due to a similar failure to launch on offense.
Miller gave up three runs in under two innings of work with shaky command during his time on the mound, but the bullpen behind him limited the damage to just one run on top of the original margin.
Blame falls solely on the Dodgers’ offense as the team crumbled both with runners in scoring position and with favorable counts at the plate.
Two runs in each game to begin their series simply won’t cut and should LA lose, missed opportunities will continue haunting the team for the second straight offseason.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
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Let’s be honest here. This lineup and this pitching staff are not coming back from a 2-0 deficit. Stop kidding yourself. Every year, we win our division, and choke in the playoffs. Whatever we are doing, it’s wrong. This year there was hope for the offense and major concerns for the pitching. Spot on. Another wasted year.
Yeah pretty much this, a 2-0 deficit is game over for this collection of players. Dodger continually choke in playoffs and as much as I love Kershaw he is top of the list for choking in big games. No idea why but to keep doing this year after year is just insanity. Something has to change BC the current thing is not a winning formula. I am all for a complete rebuild, trade Betts and Freeman and hope They still have some value. The. Clean house on the coaching staff. This is only way to exercise the losing culture of this club.
Its not Dave Roberts fault, its upper management. They are tight with money hoping to get Otani. They should have got a couple of premier pitchers.