Mookie

Betts

The slumping slugger battled cleanup in each of the first two games of the series and was dropped down to sixth against a southpaw in Game 3 on Wednesday. Perhaps the move back to the top of the lineup will provide the offensive jolt that the Dodgers need to stave off elimination and keep their dreams of a three-peat alive. Here’s the full lineup that they will trot out against Brewers’ southpaw Shane Drohan on Thursday: Ohtani (DH), Mookie Betts (SS), Freddie Freeman (1B), Will Smith (C), Kyle Tucker (RF), Teoscar Hernandez (LF), Miguel Rojas (2B), Andy Pages (CF) and Enrique Hernandez (3B).

Betts’ home run was his 23rd of the season. He hit a solo shot off Matt Wilkinson in the third inning. Betts has been on fire in September, going 30-for-87 (.344) with seven home runs and 22 RBI in 22 games. After going 16-for-70 (.228) with no home runs and eight RBI in 17 playoff games last year, Betts is looking for better results this October.

Betts remains in the leadoff spot with Shohei Ohtani back from the injured list. The 33-year-old shortstop has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball recently, batting .366 (26-for-71) with six homers, 21 RBI and one steal in 18 games since the start of September.

Ohtani will make his return to Los Angeles’ lineup following a minimum stint on the injured list due to ongoing biceps and knee issues. The 32-year-old generational talent is expected to play in each of their final five games against the Padres and Giants, respectively, to close out the regular season. He’s expected to lead off against right-handed starters with Mookie Betts getting the nod against lefties, a trend that will likely continue into the postseason.

Betts homered twice on Friday, and he has 10 hits in three days, raising his OPS from .738 to .785. That’s quite a boost this late in the season. He entered September at .701.

Betts was fortunate to be playing in Dodger Stadium tonight, as his homers would have been out of only eight and five ballparks, respectively. He’s hit .356/.457/.726 in September., Even through just 15 games, his six homers and 18 RBI are season highs for a month this season.

Betts reached base safely in four of his five plate appearances, but the Dodgers wound up going 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position in a narrow loss to Cincinnati. It’s become a bizarre recurring trend for Betts to finish the year on a high note, and he’s once again heating up in September, hitting .317 (19-for-60) with four homers and 15 RBI over his last 15 games.

Betts put the first run on the board in the first inning, taking Tyler Phillips deep for a solo homer. He later drew a walk and stole a base in the sixth. The 33-year-old outfielder is hitting .248/.313/.432 with 20 homers, 63 runs scored, and 61 RBI across 470 plate appearances.

Betts has three homers in seven games and is now just one away from getting to 20 and matching last year’s total despite spending five weeks on the IL early on. He’s 12-for-32 with 13 RBI and six walks in eight games this month.

Betts’ homer off Will Dion came in the eighth and accounted for the final three runs of the game. He’s hitting .303 with five homers, eight doubles and 22 RBI in his last 25 games, raising his season OPS from .674 to .731.