By all statistical measures, Mookie Betts is enduring the worst season of his decorated career. Through 103 games, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ shortstop is slashing just .236/.308/.361—numbers that would be concerning for any everyday player, let alone a former MVP and future Hall of Famer.
But despite the prolonged struggles, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remains unwavering in his belief that Betts belongs at the top of the order.
“The more I think about it, Mookie is somebody I’m not going to hit lower in the order,” Roberts said this week. “I just feel you weigh the options, the alternatives and things like that, I’m going to continue to believe in him and trust that he’s the best option whether it’s in the one or the two, and that’s what we’re going to roll with.”
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Since the beginning of July, Betts ranks as one of the eight least-productive qualified hitters in Major League Baseball. He’s hit just .211 with a .270 on-base percentage and a .309 slugging mark during that stretch—good for a 59 wRC+. Roberts briefly tried to spark him by moving him back into the leadoff spot earlier this month, but the 32-year-old hit only .190/.271/.238 over ten games before returning to the two-hole.
Despite speculation that the Dodgers might eventually drop Betts further down in the lineup—especially with Max Muncy now healthy—Roberts has shut down that possibility for the foreseeable future.
“This guy is a premium player and he’s just in this extended funk,” Roberts continued. “But he’s going to work his way out of this. I just feel the best version of our ballclub is him somewhere at the top of the order.”
The idea of repositioning Betts is not without merit. Will Smith, one of baseball’s top offensive catchers, has been among the league’s most productive hitters this season and would theoretically thrive in the two-hole behind Shohei Ohtani. But Roberts noted that Smith’s inconsistent availability—catchers typically don’t play every day—makes it difficult to structure a lineup around him at the top.
“You’ve got to think of the alternatives,” Roberts said. “Given that Will Smith doesn’t play every day, you’re trying not to mix and match the top of the order when the catcher plays three out of four, or whatever it is. So that’s kind of the math.”
Roberts added, “It’s very clear to me. There’s always suggestions and thoughts, but if you don’t have a better alternative, then it falls on deaf ears. Or my deaf ears.”
Still, the numbers suggest the Dodgers do have better alternatives—at least in the short term. Smith, Muncy, Freddie Freeman, and even rookie Andy Pages have all outperformed Betts in 2025. Only fellow rookie Dalton Rushing has posted a worse offensive line.
But for Roberts, keeping Betts in a prominent spot isn’t just about numbers—it’s also about belief.
“I think for me, it’s not giving him any out,” he said. “It’s appreciating he’s the best option we have at the top, near the top. If that’s not confidence from a manager to a player, I don’t know what is, when you’re scuffling and you’re going through it, that I’m not going to waver.”
Roberts added, “My only ask for him—and I’ve told him this—is, ‘I want you to have as much confidence in yourself as I do. And it’ll turn.’”
On Tuesday, that belief was rewarded—at least for one night. Betts went 3-for-4 with a walk in a win over the division-rival Giants, his first three-hit game since June 7. It was a glimmer of hope amid what has otherwise been a historically difficult campaign.
Even so, Betts is hitting just .187 with a .533 OPS since that June 7 breakout. One good night doesn’t erase two months of struggles, but it may provide a starting point.
Roberts isn’t backing down, and Betts isn’t running from the challenge. Whether that loyalty will pay off in October is still unknown—but for now, the Dodgers are sticking with their guy.