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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts thinks Mookie Betts’ outstanding effort in Game 4 of the NLCS may have been fueled by a feeling of disrespect from the New York Mets walking Shohei Ohtani three times.
Roberts told reporters after the Dodgers’ 10-2 win that Betts took it “personal” that the Mets may have been trying to avoid pitching to Ohtani.
“And that’s OK. That’s OK,” Roberts said. “And I think that he understands that whether it’s a manager putting four fingers up or you’re throwing intentional balls two feet outside, you’re going to go after the next guy. So I think that Mookie takes it personal like all competitors should. And I do think that stuff like that lights a little fire under him.”
None of the walks to Ohtani were intentional, but two of them were on four pitches. Betts took advantage of the opportunities with at least one runner on base ahead of him, going 4-of-6 with a double, three-run homer and four RBI.
This postseason has been an illustration of what makes the Dodgers so dangerous. Ohtani was getting talked about for his struggles with no runners on base, but he was crushing the ball when anyone got on.
Codify @CodifyBaseball
Shohei Ohtani’s last 24 times up with bases empty:
0-for-22 with 2 walks and 10 strikeouts
Shohei Ohtani’s last 31 times up with runners on base:
13 singles, 2 doubles, 6 home runs, 4 walks, 1 HBP
It’s completely ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/UxIbLpZ24E
Ohtani erased that narrative in Game 4 by hitting a leadoff homer off José Quintana. He reached base four times in six plate appearances and scored four runs.
The Dodgers have scored at least eight runs in each of their three wins in the NLCS. They have allowed a total of nine runs in their last six playoff games dating back to Game 4 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres.
Perhaps the most encouraging sign for the Dodgers in the past two games has been the performances of Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They combined to allow two runs on seven hits and three walks with 14 strikeouts in 8.1 innings.
Given the depth of their lineup, particularly with Ohtani and Betts at the top of the order, the Dodgers don’t need great starting pitching to win. They have gotten exactly what they need in the past two games and are one victory away from reaching the World Series for the first time since 2020.
The Dodgers can end the NLCS in Game 5 on Friday when they send Jack Flaherty to the mound against Mets starter David Peterson at Citi Field.
