By Kevin Moore
After being the hero in Game 3, leading his team to a 6-5 victory, Mookie Betts was held hitless in Game 4 as the Los Angeles Dodgers fell 9-2 to the Atlanta Braves.
Playoff Mookie won’t let the #Dodgers go down without a fight #MLBbros https://t.co/bMVqAVKvtM
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) October 20, 2021
If it wasn’t for Betts’ clutch hit in Game 3, this series would have been over and the Braves would be on their way to the World Series.
Mookie Betts does it again!
Dodgers take a 6-5 lead!
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/QvlrQCy3b1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) October 20, 2021
But that’s not the case.
Betts has been on fire during the postseason, but the Braves held him hitless at the plate for the second time during the series.
Now the Dodgers have their backs against the wall as they trail the Braves 3-1 in the National League Championship Series.
Our MLBbro finished Game 4 going 0-4 at the plate with a strikeout. It was a tough outing for the Dodgers leadoff hitter and he just could not find his rhythm at the plate.
This is one of the few games that Betts has struggled in this postseason.
He’s been one of the hottest hitters for his team, batting .412 with five RBIs and a home run this postseason.
But Mookie knows a thing or two about inspiring playoff comebacks and rallies.
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers, left, celebrates with outfielder Mookie Betts after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning in game five of the 2018 ALCS playoff baseball series at Minute Maid Park in Houston. pic.twitter.com/YpO6OC7bsw
— The Day in Pictures (@TheDayinPictur1) October 19, 2018
Dodgers In A Familar Hole
The Dodgers will have to win three straight in order to advance to the World Series and look to win their second straight title.
It won’t be an easy task for the Dodgers, but this team has been in this situation before.
In the National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers won Game 5 to advance to the NLCS.
‘Mookie Magic’ came through in that game going 4-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base.
Look for more of that magic in Game 5 from Betts as he’ll look to keep his team alive in the series.
These two teams played in last season’s NLCS and the Braves won three out of the first four games.
This year, the Braves have done the same thing. Atlanta dominated throughout the entirety of Game 4.
“I think they just outplayed us in all facets,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game.
The Dodgers will face Max Fried in Game 5 and Roberts knows it’s going to be a battle.
“Not gonna be much tougher than facing Max Fried in an elimination game, but we’ve done it before,” he said.
The Dodgers are no strangers to win or go home games and this is what postseason baseball is all about.
Can Roberts and his squad pull off what they did in last year’s playoffs? Though it will be a difficult task, the Dodgers have the team to do it.
Game 6 will be held at Dodger Stadium today at 8:08 p.m. EST
I’m not worried about Betts. He was hitting .400 most of the post-season. Still playing great defense with outfield assist and is 14 for 14 in stolen bases last count. Dave is moving Mookie back to lead off to help Trea Turner get out of his slump (receiving more fastballs now) hitting second again.