BOSTON — The anticipation for Mookie Betts‘ first look in Boston in 4 years was actual. Before first pitch, Betts sat within the Fenway Park interview room and talked about what town of Boston meant to him and the way a lot he’s having fun with his time in Los Angeles.
In the Dodgers’ 7-4 comeback win over the Red Sox on Friday at Fenway Park, it was Betts and Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers’ different former Most Valuable Player and one of many frontrunners for the award this season, who shined in the long run together with his fifth four-hit recreation of the 2023 season.
“I don’t take it for granted. I enjoy watching those guys,” stated Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts. “I don’t know if it’s competing against each other, but I do see them raise the level of play for each other. I think it’s sort of game-to-game and series-to-series. One game Mookie throws five hits, and the next game it’s Freddie’s turn.”
Through 5 innings, the Dodgers’ offense was quieted by Red Sox starter Kutter Crawford. But within the sixth, Betts led off the body with a double to jumpstart the Dodgers’ offense (extending his hit streak to 13 video games), one thing he’s executed time and time once more this season.
Freeman then continued the rally with a single, placing the stress on the Red Sox. Will Smith adopted with an RBI double and Kiké Hernández capped off a three-run sixth with a game-tying RBI single off reliever Nick Pivetta.
“Mookie got us started,” Freeman stated.
While Betts, who stated he loved getting by his return to Boston and the reception from the followers, began the rally, it was Freeman who added the ending touches.
Freeman went 4-for-5 on Friday, together with the go-ahead RBI double off Pivetta to place the Dodgers out in entrance for good within the seventh inning. With that double, the 2020 National League MVP set a profession excessive with 48 doubles this season. It additionally places Freeman only one double shy of tying the L.A. Dodgers document set by Shawn Green in ‘03. At this charge, Freeman is on tempo to hit 60 doubles this season.
“We’re just trying to do our job and help win games, win the division and win a World Series,” Freeman stated. “Obviously, Mookie’s crazy on fire right now. I’m just trying to follow along, keep the line moving and score some runs. His August — pretty much his last 60, 70 games have been pretty incredible.”
Freeman is true. Betts’ August is amongst among the finest months of his profession. With a 1-for-4 day, the ‘18 American League MVP is hitting .453 (39-for-86) with seven homers and 21 RBIs in 22 video games this month. Of these 22 video games, Betts has recorded at the least one hit in 21 of these.
On the opposite hand, Freeman’s August hasn’t been too shabby, both. Freeman is hitting .396 (36-for-91) with two homers and 13 doubles. Friday was the second four-hit recreation this month for Freeman.
“We know what’s going on, but I think we thrive on that pressure,” Betts stated, when requested if he’s conscious of the historic season he and Freeman are having atop the Dodgers’ lineup. “We push each other. I’m telling him, ‘Come on, let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.’ He’ll say the same thing to me.”
Over the subsequent two months, the Dodgers will in the end go so far as Betts and Freeman take them. Both are having one among their finest seasons of their respective careers. And the Dodgers, who improved to 20-3 in August behind the 2 MVP candidates, are having fun with each second of it.
“We’re just trying to stay strong and get this division taken care of,” Freeman stated. “And head into the playoffs and have a better playoffs.”
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