Los Angeles Superstar Mookie Betts’ struggle this season, the idea of pushing him in batting order has become a legitimate point of debate for manager Dave Roberts.
As a seemingly endless slump continues for Betts, the skipper discusses what he is going to do at Betts’ place in the batting order.
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“The more I think about it, the more Mookie is someone I’m not going to hit low in order,” Roberts said. “I feel you’re weighing options, alternatives, things like that. I’ll continue to believe in him, and whether he’s one or two, he’s the best option.
“So I think the question moves him and it’s fair about things like that, but this guy is a premium player and he’s just in this expansion funk, but he’s going to get out of it.
Betts recently moved from second to leadoff, but has since returned to his former spot.
Hours after Roberts showed his faith in the superstar, something very promising happened during Tuesday’s victory. Betts had his first three hit games since June 7th.
In 2019, Betts hit .236/.308/.361 with a .669 OPS. Since his last three hit games, the shortstop has hit just .187 with .533 OPS.
Tuesday evening shows signs of things getting better, but there’s more to do as Betts continues to produce similar results and aims to put this career-large skid behind him.
As for Roberts, his confidence in shortstops has not wavered.
“For me, I don’t think he’s given anything. I’m grateful that he is the best option we’re close to the top,” Roberts said. “If it’s not confidence from manager to player, I don’t know what’s going to be. When you’re brawling and you’re going through it, I’m not going to shake up.
“So, asking my only one, I said to him, “I want you to be as confident in yourself as I do, and it will turn.”
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Photo credit: William Liang-Immagn Image
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