Dodgers' Mookie Betts Turns to 6-Time All-Star Ex-Teammate for Help
The Los Angeles Dodgers are still be the odds-on favorite to win the World Series again this season, but they've posted a losing record since the All-Star break as some key players struggle at the plate.
On the year, the Dodgers have performed as one of the best offenses in the sport. But many of their biggest stars are underwhelming in the last few weeks while Mookie Betts has been mired in a season-long slump.
"The Los Angeles Dodgers offense has been inconsistent at best for more than a month, and more often than not, it's been an issue for the team rather than a strength," Blake Williams wrote for Dodger Blue. "Betts is one of the main players the Dodgers need to turn things around. The entire season has been a struggle for him, and it's been weighing on the Dodgers shortstop."
Several explanations have been floated for Betts' issues, though none of those have generated a fix so far. He missed the start of the season with a stomach virus that resulted in some significant weight loss. He hurt his toe in an off-field accident. And he has taken over a demanding new defensive position this year.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after striking out in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game One of the Division Series at Dodger...
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after striking out in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game One of the Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) More
Martinez/Getty
But whatever the core problem is, Betts has continued to search for solutions. And the latest one involved calling in a prolific slugger who played with him on two different teams.
"J.D. Martinez traveled to aid struggling superstar Mookie Betts (88 OPS plus) at a Tampa batting cage last weekend," Jon Heyman reported for the New York Post. "The two teamed on the World Series champion 2018 Red Sox and the 2023 Dodgers."
Martinez is widely-regarded among big leaguers for his prowess at the plate. He earned six All-Star nods and two Silver Slugger Awards in his career, which ended after a final season with the New York Mets last year.
If anyone can offer a season-saving tip to Betts at this point, it could be Martinez. After hunting for a solution all year, the Dodgers can hope their former slugger saw something that others haven't.
More MLB: MLB Exec Raises Alarm on Cubs' Pitching Staff with Postseason Looming
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