1. Introduction: The Turning Point
For much of the 2025 MLB season, Mookie Betts found himself in unfamiliar territory — low batting average, streaks of ineffectiveness at the plate, and questions about whether he could carry the weight expected of a star in Los Angeles. But in recent weeks, everything changed. Suddenly, Betts is delivering again: power, consistency, and leadership.
This article traces how Betts has gone from a slump to becoming one of the Dodgers’ most reliable bats in the late season. We’ll examine his two-run homer, his grand slam, what stats support this revival, and what it means for the postseason possibilities for the Dodgers.
2. Betts’s Early Season Struggles
Even the best players go through slumps, and 2025 was proving to be one of those seasons for Betts. Some of the key issues included:
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Low batting averages over prolonged stretches, much lower than his career norms.
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Reduced slugging and fewer extra-base hits / power surges.
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Lack of confidence or flow at the plate, which can feed into worse results.
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Injury concerns or health issues impacting performance (common in long seasons).
By the time early September rolled around, even Betts had publicly admitted that he considered the season “over” from a personal performance standpoint, despite there still being many games left. MLB.com
3. The Resurgence Begins
The turning point came roughly one month before the “regular” end of the season — a stretch where Betts decided he had nothing left to lose. That kind of mindset can be freeing. Instead of pressing, he refocused on fundamentals and competing nightly. Results followed.
In his past 30 or so games entering that stretch, Betts posted batting lines much more in line with his storied career: higher average, better on-base percentage, a slugging rebound, and clutch hits.
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Over a stretch going back to August 5: batting average of roughly .333, OPS (on-base + slugging) approaching .931.
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Before that, he had been hitting near .231/.302/.355, which was far below expectations.
That contrast is stark. Betts has recaptured something he’d lost: letting the swing happen, trusting instincts, being aggressive when needed.
4. The Two-Run Homer: Signal vs. Rockies
One of the clearest signs of Betts’s resurgence came in a game against the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers won 7-2, and Betts smashed a two-run homer that really spoke louder than numbers.
Details:
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Betts hit the home run in the third inning, giving the Dodgers an early cushion. It wasn’t just about putting a ball over the fence; it was doing so when the game was getting started, showing he was ready and locked in.
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Alongside that, other Dodger bats contributed — Teoscar Hernández and Freddie Freeman both homered in the same game. Betts wasn’t alone, but his contribution helped underline that he was back in the mix.
Beyond just the homer, Betts’s overall at-bat in that game was strong: multiple hits, solid discipline, and hustle. That kind of all-around performance is what teams need from their stars in September
5. Grand Slam Glory
If the two-run homer signaled his resurgence, Betts’s grand slam was the exclamation mark. In a later match, he line-drove a grand slam to left-center field in the bottom of the eighth inning, extending the Dodgers’ lead emphatically.
Key features:
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The pitch was a 96.1 mph fastball, and Betts squared it up with an exit velocity over 103 mph, with a launch angle around 25°. That’s impressive for any hitter — but especially notable given how he’d been swinging earlier in the season.
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That slam came with the game well in hand (score already leaning in the Dodgers’ favor), but its impact isn’t just the RBIs: it’s psychological. It’s an intimidation moment, a message to the rest of the league and to himself that he is back.
The grand slam didn’t just add to the scoreboard; it helped the Dodgers dominate that game, sealing a sweep of the Rockies in a 9-0 victory.
6. Statistics & Trends: What the Numbers Tell Us
Numbers are cold, but they don’t lie — and in Betts’s case, they’re telling a story of a dramatic turnaround.
| Metric | Before Resurgence | After Resurgence (Past ~30-35 Games) |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | ~.231 | ~.333 |
| Slugging & Power | Struggled for extra bases | Multiple home runs & strong exit velocities |
| OPS | Low (well below career norms) | ~.931 |
| Multi-RBI Games | Rare | Five straight multi-RBI efforts as of certain points |
| On-Base Streaks | Inconsistent | Reached base in 16 consecutive games in one stretch |
Other trends:
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Clutch timing — key hits in middle‐innings and late innings, not just pad-the-score moments.
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Consistency — rather than flashes, Betts has delivered frequently over this stretch.
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Supporting cast stepping up — Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, Andy Pages, and others have helped, making Betts’s job sometimes easier but also meaning more pressure to reciprocate, which he has.
7. Impact on the Dodgers’ Playoff Push
A resurgent Betts isn’t just nice to watch; it has real playoff implications for the Dodgers.
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The NL West race is tight. In recent games, Betts’s performances (including that two-run homer vs. Rockies, grand slam) came at a time when each win is critical. Dodgers improved their lead over rivals like the Padres.
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Every stretch of good performance helps in securing either home-field advantage, or at least avoiding early road games in the postseason.
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His return to form also takes pressure off other parts of the lineup and allows more flexibility in matchups (e.g. pitchers focusing less on neutralizing him, more on the whole lineup).
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The mental effect: both for the team and opponents. Betts carrying momentum can lift the clubhouse; for rivals, seeing Betts hit big late in the season increases perceived threat.
8. What’s Behind the Turnaround
Betts’s turnaround hasn’t happened in a vacuum. Several factors likely contributed:
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Mindset Shift
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Betts admitted he had mentally checked out, thinking the season for him was already spoiled. That “nothing to lose” mindset often frees players.
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He began focusing more on simply competing, staying present at the plate, rather than overthinking mechanics or outcomes.
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Health & Recovery
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As seasons drag on, wear & tear, minor injuries, fatigue become more relevant. If Betts has gotten healthier or more rested, that could explain improved bat speed, timing.
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Confidence from physical well-being tends to translate into better plate discipline and more aggressive swings when needed.
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Adjustment in Approach
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Hitting mechanics tweaks (timing, stance, swing path) are often less visible but very impactful.
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Better selection of pitches, more discipline, fewer unproductive swings.
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Perhaps changes in his training regime, mental preparation, video work, scouting how pitchers have approached him.
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Support from Team Context
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Having teammates hitting well removes the burden of having to be the only consistent bat.
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Pitchers may be under more pressure to hold leads, so the team gives Betts more meaningful opportunities.
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Experience & Resilience
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Betts is no stranger to high expectations, slumps, and big moments. His veteran status means he knows slumps are part of the game, knows how to grind through them.
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The combination of past success gives the belief that resurgence is possible.
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9. Comparisons & Context: Betts vs Betts (Earlier Seasons)
To appreciate how big this resurgence is, it helps to place it in context of Betts’s career:
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In earlier seasons, Betts was often among the league leaders in batting average, slugging, on-base percentage. Even when the power was down, the consistency and ability to drive in runs were reliable.
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For example, Betts’s performance in past playoff runs shows his knack for stepping up. He’s had clutch postseason moments, and while this late-season run is in regular season, the timing mirrors those past surges.
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Hypothetically, if Betts maintains anything close to a .330 average over these final games, it would mark one of his better late-season pushes in years. Previous seasons saw Betts maintain elite averages over long stretches, but rarely with the kind of power output and multi-RBI consistency he’s displaying now.
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One could compare to seasons where he had similar slumps but came back strong — how did plate discipline, approach, power numbers recover then? Betts’s current OPS (~.931 in the revival) is strikingly high, reminiscent of some peak years.
10. Conclusion: Why This Matters
Mookie Betts’s grand slam, his two-run homer, and overall late-season resurgence are more than just storylines: they offer hope that the Dodgers have another gear left, one that can be crucial in October.
For Betts personally, this stretch may redefine his 2025 season. Instead of being remembered as a down year, it could be viewed as the year he dug deep, overcame, and delivered when it counted most.
For the Dodgers, Betts’s return to form bolsters a lineup that already boasts stars like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández, and others. It gives them flexibility in matchups, added depth, and in baseball, that can be a difference-maker.
Final Thoughts
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Clutch moment after clutch moment: The two-run homer wasn’t just a run; it was an early punch. The grand slam wasn’t just insurance; it was dominance.
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Statistical proof: It’s not just “he feels better” — Betts has numbers backing him up now.
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Timely importance: As the Dodgers eye postseason positioning, every game, every swing matters — and Betts is one of their most dangerous weapons.
If Betts continues on this current trajectory, we may look back at these few weeks as the moment he turned what could have been a forgettable season into one of memorable redemption.
