Los Angeles Dodgers need more out of Mookie Betts

Not many Los Angeles Dodgers players have struggled this season, and that should come as no surprise. The back-to-back World Series Champions have a 5.5-game lead in their division, and no matter how well the Braves are doing in the NL, everyone knows the league goes through LA. 

However, one player who has struggled, probably due to an oblique injury that kept him out a month, is Mookie Betts. It's hard to blame Betts for the struggle due to the injury, but he's being urged as a player the Dodgers need to 'heat up'. 

Do the Dodgers need more from Mookie Betts?

MLB.com's Sonja Chen names Betts as one player on the Dodgers who needs to 'heat up': 

"Betts came into this season excited about the work he had put in to get his swing back on track, but he landed on the IL with a right oblique strain after appearing in just eight games. Since returning on May 11, he hasn't hit consistently, leading the Dodgers to drop him from second to cleanup in the lineup."

Mookie Betts' results have been better of late, including a three-hit game over the weekend, and a two-homer performance last week, but if Dave Roberts is going to trust him in the cleanup spot, the Dodgers need Betts to find that power stroke again.

Here are his 2026 stats:  25 games played.194 average, six home runs, 16 RBI, 0.0 bWAR, OPS+ of 87. 

Dodgers fans should have faith in the 8X MLB All-Star and former AL MVP Betts, but they do need more from their $365 million slugger. 

More MLB news:

• Atlanta Braves $212 million All-Star infielder urged to 'heat up'

• Atlanta Braves 2.50 ERA starter named 'biggest surprise' for team in 2026

• Blue Jays must consider trade for Twins' All-Star starter

• Are the Los Angeles Dodgers actually better than their record indicates?