The Los Angeles Dodgers have gone through some stretches of experimenting with where Mookie Betts is placed in the batting order since be was acquired from the Boston Red Sox, but their lineup undeniably has functioned best with the six-time All-Star in the leadoff spot.
As Dodgers manager Dave Roberts toyed with various orders involving Betts, Freddie Freeman and Trea Turner, each of the three players openly stated where they preferred to bat in the Dodgers lineup. Predictably, Betts explained he was most comfortable when hitting leadoff.
He’s remained atop the Dodgers lineup this season and often been the key to their wins. Betts factored into Monday’s game against the San Francisco Giants as he hit the 37th leadoff home run of his career.
Following the Dodgers’ victory, Betts acknowledged the Dodgers tend to go as he does, but that doesn’t amount to trying to do more than necessary, via AM 570 L.A. Sports:
“It kind of seems like it, but I’ve just got to do my job. That’s the hard part, is doing my job. We’ve got a great bunch of guys that all just want to do their jobs. I think you get a group like that together, it makes it a lot of fun.”
Betts finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBI in the series opener against the Giants. That he would find immediate success against Logan Webb was nothing short of expected, as Betts entered the matchup a career 10-for-23 with two doubles off the right-hander in the regular season.
Entering Tuesday, the Dodgers are 2-0 this season when Betts has multiple hits. That’s compared to a 4-5 record when he has one hit or fewer.
Mookie Betts changed opinion on leadoff spot
Although Betts historically has been adamant about hitting lead off, his stance changed heading into the 2023 season. The Dodgers nevertheless have kept Betts batting first in the order, largely for lack of a clear-cut alternative that would suffice.
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