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Mookie Betts could be the answer to the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani problem

With the Los Angeles Dodgers trailing the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, manager Dave Roberts is looking to Mookie Betts to revive a lineup that has struggled to generate offense. The Dodgers managed just one run in the opening game, while their four runs in the second game all resulted from defensive errors or wild pitches, leaving the physically limited Shohei Ohtani unable to provide the necessary spark.

Betts, who has served as the leadoff hitter since Ohtani was placed on the injured list, went 2-for-7 with four walks in his first nine plate appearances of the series.

Roberts praised Betts for maintaining high-quality at-bats, noting that his approach sets the tone for the rest of the lineup, a strategy that proved effective during a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the NL Division Series. In that game, Betts forced Braves pitcher Chris Sale to throw 24 pitches in the first inning, contributing to a high pitch count that preceded home runs from Kiké Hernández and Freddie Freeman.

However, Betts acknowledged that facing the Brewers presents a different challenge, as their bullpen is arguably the strongest part of the team, meaning high pitch counts may not be as decisive as they were against Atlanta.

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