Mookie Betts is absolutely on fire at the plate right now, heading into October with a crazy September performance that screams “postseason hero.” The Dodgers shortstop is hitting a ridiculous .367 this month, proving he’s ready to carry this offense when it matters most.
This September Run Is Straight Up MVP Caliber
Seriously, what Betts is doing right now is next level. In September alone, he’s racked up 21 RBIs, blasted six home runs, and smacked nine doubles. We’re talking about a 1.117 OPS and a mind-blowing 219 wRC+. These numbers aren’t just good, they’re elite, easily his best month of the season and totally reminiscent of his MVP-level play from years past. His plate discipline is insane, walking in 16% of his plate appearances while only striking out 8.5% of the time. The dude’s making pitchers work harder than they want, forcing them to throw challenging pitches. When he does swing, look out: he’s hammered 32 hard-hit balls this month, boasting an average exit velocity of 92.6 mph, his highest of the entire year. That’s just pure power and precision working together.
Stepping Up When The Squad Needed It Most
It’s no shocker that Betts has been the Dodgers’ best hitter this month, especially with some key guys sidelined or struggling. Shohei Ohtani missed most of September with a right-arm injury, and Andy Pages was out for the majority of the month too, only just returning. Plus, Freddie Freeman and Tommy Edman have been ice-cold, which only amplified the need for someone to take charge. Betts was that guy. He’s created 25 weighted runs, according to FanGraphs, which leads the team, with Teoscar Hernandez coming in second at 19. His emergence and Edman’s slump even pushed Betts into the leadoff spot. And get this: he’s been so good there that even after Ohtani’s return, manager Dave Roberts still keeps Betts leading off against lefties. That’s how much trust they have in him.
Can Mookie Keep This Playoff Magic Going?
If anyone knows how to turn it on for October, it’s Betts. He’s got a solid track record in the postseason. Back in 2020, his first year with the Dodgers when they won the World Series, he hit .296/.378/.493 with a 135 OPS+ through October. He followed that up in 2021 with a .319/.377/.404 line and a 116 wRC+. While 2022 and 2023 saw the Dodgers end their seasons early and Betts struggle, he was absolutely magical in 2024 when they won one of their consecutive titles, hitting .290/.387/.585 with a 151 wRC+. This season, he started off with league-average hitting, mostly showing off great defense at shortstop. But something clicked mid-August, and he’s totally flipped the script. With the postseason just around the corner, all eyes are on Betts to see if he can keep this insane September momentum rolling right through October.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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