The dreaded playoff slump—a nasty nightmare for most players. While some, like Derek Jeter, literally shone more brightly at this time of the year, some, like Aaron Judge, struggled always. And seems like adding to the latter list is Mookie Betts. Whilst he has been the perfect man in blue during the regular seasons, his post-season dilemma is unbelievable. He has gone hitless in his last 22 postseason at-bats. And this year was no different! 

The Los Angeles Dodgers star had a rough start with 0-for-6 in this year’s NLDS game against the San Diego Padres. Even though Betts was desperate to break the postseason spell and took about three or four hundred swings Monday night to turn things around—things didn’t turn for the better. The Dodgers lost and got tied with their opponents, San Diego Padres. And the weight of expectations sure feels heavy on Betts now. But good for him, because he has Dave Roberts to guide him through.

Dave Robert’s thoughtful message for Mookie Betts

The Dodgers are feeling the heat, even more so after looking at the way Yu Darvish dominated. At Game 2, Betts almost made a redemption as he sent the ball soaring, but sadly for him, Profar caught it and snatched the home run chance. And yet again, Betts failed to get over his slump. Many are wondering if there is something more going on with Betts. The manager of the team, Dave Roberts, thinks the past is what troubles Betts and what’s stopping him from being his self. 

Dave Roberts picked up the pressure Betts has been dealing with when he pulled him aside during Monday’s off-day workout at Petco Park. Roberts noticed that while Betts’s game 1 was okay, his game 2 had a shift in demeanor. So Roberts wanted to remind his star to keep his focus forward rather than getting bogged down by what the past was.

Dave Roberts said, via Los Angeles Times, “The fact is you can’t change the last X amount of postseason games. I understand the burden a player might have, but all anyone is concerned about is right now and how to best prepare yourself mentally for [Tuesday] night and the first at-bat. So that’s going to be basically my message.”

Dave Roberts mentioned that Betts wouldn’t be moved from his usual spot because he believes in him. He just wants him to go out there and complete his tail off. Roberts said, “I can see the — I don’t know if it’s angst — or the pressure of past performances starting to kind of bleed in,” According to the manager, he isn’t expecting Mookie Betts to do extraordinary. He just wants Betts to do what’s he been doing in the regular season. Point made! With this assurance in mind, maybe Betts can make it out through this postseason glooms.

Mookie Betts opens up about his struggles

Mookie Betts is not just another baseball player. He is an eight-time MLB All-Star player and is one of the best in MLB now. In the regular season, his stats are stunning, with a batting average of .289 and an OPS of .863. But postseason, it’s a struggle, and it’s no secret. Talking to reports about his recent setbacks on at-bats, Betts confessed, “They’re all outs. So they’re all terrible. I don’t know really what to say about it. I’m giving my best, doing my best. Obviously, it’s not good enough right now.” And that’s not all he had to say!

Mookie Betts said that while everyone tells him not to think of the past, the past does bleed into the current. But yet, he is hopeful saying, “The only thing I can do is to look forward. I know it’s there. … I’m trying, man. That’s all I can say.” Lucky for him Dave Roberts isn’t losing faith in his star player. In fact, Dave Roberts asked Mookie to be ‘himself’ and that’s when every issue would be solved. Betts is even in talks with his mental skills coach Brent Walker. And he even talked to Walker for several minutes on Monday, but honestly, Betts took no consolation, saying, “It’s an out. It doesn’t matter if it’s a groundout, flyout, strikeout, it’s an out. It’s all the same.” But right now, Mookie Betts needs to fight off the negativity and look to do what he does best- win!

Game 3 is coming and the Los Angeles Dodgers will be counting on Mookie Betts to work his magic and make them lead again. Do you think he can?