After splitting a weekend series with the Houston Astros, the Los Angeles Dodgers embarked on their final road trip of the season. It began with a highly-anticipated matchup against the San Diego Padres, who had closed the gap in the National League West standings.
The Dodgers were on their way to a win in the series opener at Petco Park, but sloppy defense spelled doom and an eventual loss. However, L.A. responded with their usual focus and notched back-to-back wins.
They have now taken two in a row from the Colorado Rockies to extend their winning streak to four games, lower the magic number to clinch the NL West to four and secured home-field advantage for the Wild Card Series.
“I think that was kind of a punch in the mouth,” Mookie Betts said of losing to the Padres at the beginning of the road trip. “We responded well and we have to just continue to play our game.”
Betts went 2-for-5 with a triple, home run and three RBI in the Dodgers’ 15-6 win at Coors Field. The team collected 17 hits and received contributions up and down the lineup.
“We need to continue to put the pressure on teams and play like we’re going to play in playoffs,” Betts said. “It wasn’t just me. There’s a lot of guys in here, a lot of hits and RBIs, so I think we did a great job of grinding through the whole game.”
Betts acknowledged a hitter’s haven like Coors Field can provide a boost, but noted the approach must remain consistent. “No matter where we play, I think we’ve done a pretty good job of applying pressure, not giving away at-bats, not very many if we do,” he said.
“Pitchers have done an amazing job keeping them off the boards, so we’ve got to give credit there. It’s obviously been a team effort.”
Betts unconcerned with MVP race
Betts took the NL lead with his home run on Friday night, though where he is in the MVP race is not of any concern. “I don’t pay any attention to it,” Betts said.
It’s a sentiment Betts has regularly expressed whenever accomplishing a personal feat or when the team set the NL record for most home runs in a calendar month.
“I’m just doing what I can to win a World Series,” Betts reiterated. “I am who I am. Those things come with playing the game. You can’t think about those things and think about the game as well. I have one goal, and that’s to win a World Series. Whatever comes is what comes.”
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