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Dodgers insider goes off the rails with questionable Mookie Betts take

Thomas Carannante|
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 12: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after striking out in the first inning in game two of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on October 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 12: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after striking out in the first inning in game two of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on October 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Mookie Betts, for as good as he is, has a history of falling short in the postseason. Outside of his 2020 run with no fans in the stands (yes, that had a direct effect on many players), he’s largely been a below-average performer.

In 53 career playoff games, Betts is slashing .266/.346/.402 with just four home runs and 17 RBI. The good news is that he scores a ton of runs (37), steals bases (14) and works walks (26). But still, you’d like to see more out of the bat from a former MVP.

Nonetheless, it’s Mookie Betts. He’s a tremendous baseball player. And he’s been consistent most of his career. Outside of a 2021 season that saw him hampered by a hip issue, Betts has top-to-bottom been a constant force.

It wasn’t until this year Dodgers fans noticed “streakiness” in his game. But that didn’t stop some out there from overreacting to his slow start (1-for-8) through two NLDS games before the Padres eliminated LA.

Perhaps Dodgers insider David Vassegh is still a bit banged up — or loopy from pain pills — following his spill on Bernie the Brewer’s slide back in August.

Dodgers insider’s Mookie Betts take is a bit off the rails

"“Mookie Betts, as great of a player as he is, is very streaky,” Vassegh told Petros and Money of AM 570 LA Sports. “His season was basically made by a monster May and a monster August to give him the total numbers that he had at the end of the year. He’s a very streaky hitter and the Dodgers need him to get back into that hot zone because the last month of the year he was very average as well. So, it’s great that he loves to bowl, but he’s got to refocus on baseball.”"

Betts is simply not a “very streaky hitter.” He’s been streaky this year for whatever reason, but that’s never been the case (not even in 2021!) for the remainder of his career. And bowling? You think bowling had an effect on his readiness for the NLDS? Come on now.

Vassegh is not wrong at all about Betts’ season being propped up by a monster May and August (21 of his 35 home runs and 45 of his 82 RBI came in those months), but to all of a sudden peg Betts as inconsistent is disingenuous.

You’re better off calling him out for a postseason track record that leaves a lot to be desired rather than insinuating bowling in his spare time is robbing the Dodgers of his utmost focus. Hot takes are one thing. Being totally wrong is another.

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