Dodgers News: Mookie Betts is Staying Optimistic Ahead of Game 5 Against the Braves

The Dodgers have found themselves in the same spot they were in last year. A 3-1 lead for the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS. Even though many are looking at the end of the road for the Dodgers, Mookie Betts continues to look toward the future.

Before Thursday’s game, he was asked if the Dodgers should have a new approach at the plate.

“Yeah, yes and no. Obviously, we have to have a good approach, but it’s also really hard to get a hit,” said Betts. “You know, there’s analytics and shifts and whatnot so you start hitting balls right at people. Chili Davis told me a long time ago that we’re producers, not directors. So we can produce a good swing. but we can’t direct where it’s going to go… those are uncontrollables we can’t do anything about that…”

Some wise words coming from the All-Star right fielder. Baseball is a game based on error, so there are a lot of things that can happen in one game. Players can do everything right, but if the timing is not perfect, everything can go wrong in a second.

Betts was also asked about how he feels disappointing the fans.

“I mean, I’m not really worried about Dodgers fans that are disappointed. You can’t do anything about that. Only thing we can do is focus on what we can control and that’s going out and playing today…”

Tonight is going to be a big test for not only Mookie Betts, but for the rest of the team. There are so many questions up in the air that will all be answered after tonight’s game. Betts also spoke about how the team is able to address situations like this together.

“We have our group chat that we talk amongst each other, but I think that it’s more of just getting guys to refocus and really pay attention to every detail and pretty much like I said, just trying to find a way to win today and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.”

Mookie continued and talked about how this year does not feel the same compared to the last time they were in this situation.

“Well, we got a couple injuries. I mean, I think that’s the main thing is having, being down a starter. Obviously going into this series we had to throw Scherzer and whatnot, so we were kind of behind the eight ball at the start, but that’s not an excuse. We still have to go out and we have to do our side, which is hit, which we haven’t been doing. So I think that’s kind of been the difference.”

If the Dodgers had to deal with anything, it was injuries. So many players were placed on and off the IR constantly this season, which is a big issue. This could be a reason for a few important losses throughout the regular season as well.

Nonetheless, there is no turning back time and the Dodgers have been here before, so they know how important this is. Tonight’s game will air on TBS at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT tonight and anything can happen.