Mookie Betts looking to snap postseason skid in NLDS Game 3

SAN DIEGO — Mookie Betts waited a whole year for this opportunity. After being held hitless last October in the Dodgers’ three-game sweep against the D-backs in the National League Division Series, Betts repeatedly said he was eager to get a chance at redemption this postseason.

Through two games, however, Betts hasn’t had his signature moment quite yet. After an 0-for-4 performance on Sunday in Game 2 of the NLDS, Betts has now been held without a hit in his last 22 postseason at-bats, dating back to Game 3 of the 2022 NLDS against the Padres. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that’s the fourth-longest hitless stretch in the playoffs by a Dodger behind Chase Utley (30 at-bats in 2016-17), Cody Bellinger (24 in ’17-18) and Gil Hodges (24 in 1949-53).

Sure it’s a small sample size for Betts, but it’s a daunting number considering the star outfielder is one of the best players in the Majors. The good thing for Betts and the Dodgers is that the 2018 AL MVP will get a few more cracks at that before the end of this postseason.

“I believe he’s going to come to life. I know he has the talent. Obviously he’s not afraid of the situation,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “For me, it’s more of just go out there and compete your tail off.”

In fairness to Betts, it’s only been two games and he did draw three walks (albeit two being intentional) in the Dodgers’ Game 1 win on Saturday night. On Sunday, Betts was an inch away from tying the game with a solo homer, but he was instead robbed by Jurickson Profar at the short left-field wall. Had that gone down for Betts, maybe things might look different for the eight-time All-Star.

“They’re all outs. So they’re all terrible,” said a frustrated Betts after Game 2. “I don’t know really what to say about it. I’m giving my best, doing my best. Obviously it’s not good enough right now.”

The pressure on Betts could be escalated if the Dodgers are forced to be without Freddie Freeman at any point in the series or if the star first baseman continues to be limited with a right ankle sprain.

Betts spent most of his time during Monday’s workout at Petco Park working in the cage with the hitting coaches. After his struggles at the end of the season, Betts was seen taking 300 to 400 swings in the cage before games in order to lock himself back in. Roberts also added that he’ll have a conversation with Betts before Game 3.

“I think it’s up to him, most importantly, just to be himself,” Roberts said. “For me, it’s two games and it’s four or five official at-bats. So for me, I just don’t want to get too caught up, and most importantly, for him to get caught up into that.”

The Dodgers don’t care how Betts gets there, but they’re going to need him to start producing to the level they’re accustomed to in the regular season. Shohei Ohtani will continue to set the tone at the top of the order, but they will now need Betts more than ever.

“He’s got to be Mookie,” Roberts said. “Like I said, I don’t expect any more than he’s done over his [10-year] career. And it’s also up to the other guys to chip in. All [I] ask is for the guys to be what they have been, what they’ve shown throughout their careers.”