Dodgers NLCS: Mookie Betts Talks Leadership, Pressure for LA Core to Bring Home Ring

Down 0-2 in a best-of-7 series, the Dodgers are down but certainly not out. The bats woke up late last night — albeit off of Atlanta’s lesser relievers — and players are holding their heads up high heading into game 3 of the NLCS.

Ahead of game 3, LA superstar Mookie Betts offered analysis on where the Dodgers are at, and more importantly, the responsibility on his shoulders to lead and spark the team from the leadoff spot.

It’s going to take all of us, but I need to do my job … It’s my job. I leadoff and I have to take ownership of that. I’ve been doing it all year and I can’t stop now.

Mookie is 1-7 so far in a series that has a lot of pressure on the good guys. A pressure to hit for sure, but also a pressure to finally bring home a championship that has been eluding the Dodgers since 1988. Moreover, with the Lakers bringing home their 17th title over the weekend combined with the window seemingly closing for the current core that makes up the Dodgers, Betts admits there is pressure to bring back a ring. But that’s not such a bad thing.

It’s a blessing to have that kind of pressure.

LA has an uphill battle now to reach the World Series, but hardly insurmountable. With their backs up against the wall, surely Dodgers players will turn to every cliche in the book from here on out. 

We feel good about our club. Just have to take it one game at a time and try to not do too much. And so on. But the way Mookie buttoned it up, it gives Dodger faithful a little more hope.

Win a game today and get on the wave.

Up Next

Julio Urias gets the ball for LA and is making his first postseason start since his rookie season in 2016. For the Braves, rookie right-hander Kyle Wright is making his second start this October. First pitch is set for 3:05 PM PT on FS1.

NEXT: Dave Roberts Defends Not Going With a High-Leverage Reliever in Fateful 5th Inning