Dodgers: 3 reasons Mookie Betts will outperform Mike Trout this season

Why Betts will outperform Trout: Lineup depth

The Angels tried to upgrade their starting pitching this offseason, but instead added Silver Slugger Anthony Rendon to their lineup. The former Washington National will add protection to the lineup for Mike Trout, who will also hit in front of a healthy Shohei Ohtani.

However, once you get through those three hitters, there are some question marks in the lineup. Albert Pujols isn’t getting any younger. Justin Upton needs to prove he can rebound off an injury-slowed season. The likes of Brian Goodwin, Andrelton Simmons, and Jason Castro aren’t going to scare opposing pitchers.

Meanwhile, Mookie Betts joins a lineup that includes the 2019 National League MVP Cody Bellinger, along with a Murderer’s Row of hitters who each possess power and professional approaches at the plate.

This isn’t just about protection in the lineup. Betts will likely lead-off, so his role will be a little different than driving in runs in the middle of the order. But in a lineup where there are no easy outs, he will set the tone. Opposing pitchers can’t afford to let Betts get on base with the prospect of multiple hitters behind him being able to break the game open with a home run.

As the Dodger lineup wears down their competition throughout the game, expect Betts to capitalize at the top of the lineup.