Mookie Betts couldn’t get himself right in the postseason in recent years. That’s not to say that’s always been the case, winning a World Series with both the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers with impact performances in each run.
Betts had been struggling however in a big way with the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres even in the NLDS entering Game 3 on Tuesday night. Earlier in the day, three-time Red Sox world champion David Ortiz gave his old teammate words of encouragement on FOX’s pregame show.
Betts promptly responded with a first-inning home run against San Diego starter Michael King. On Thursday in Game 4 with the Dodgers facing elimination, Betts answered the call again with another first-inning homer, this time against Padres righty Dylan Cease.
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Whatever plagued Betts in recent postseasons appears to be history at this point, tallying four hits with a pair of homers, four RBIs and three runs scored since Ortiz’s monologue.
Coincidence?
Probably, but the former Red Sox teammates share an extended connection and know what it takes to win in the postseason. Betts hit his first playoff homer in the clinching game of the 2018 World Series for the Red Sox against the Dodgers.
Ortiz is among the best playoff performers in the history of the sport, winning three championships with the Red Sox as well as MVP honors in the 2004 ALCS and the 2013 World Series.