Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts has been struggling significantly at the plate, leading to his benching for Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that this decision was not pre-planned but rather a necessary step after assessing Betts’ mental and mechanical state.
Roberts noted, “In talking to him, seeing where his head’s at and seeing where he’s at mechanically, I just felt tonight was a night that he needed to be down.” Despite Betts’ desire to play, Roberts emphasized the importance of stepping back, stating that watching the game from the sidelines could provide a beneficial change in perspective. This approach follows a challenging period for Betts, who has been in one of the worst slumps of his career.
The 32-year-old, who was named the 2018 American League Most Valuable Player with the Boston Red Sox, has seen his performance decline sharply since early June. Entering Saturday’s game, he had a batting average of .241 and an OPS of .688, which significantly lags behind his career averages of .291 and .884. His struggles have intensified recently, with a batting average of just .188 since June 8.
Roberts expressed understanding of the added pressure Betts faces, saying, “He wants to do well — he’s not used to struggling like this.” He acknowledged Betts’ excellent defensive play but suggested that mental burdens from his hitting struggles could affect his overall performance. Despite his difficulties, Betts has consistently occupied the second spot in the batting order, a decision Roberts believes should remain unchanged for now.
The situation highlights not only Betts’ current challenges but also the importance of mental health and well-being in sports. With support from his team, there is hope that Betts can regain his form and return to being a formidable force in the Dodgers lineup.