Mookie Betts addressed the Dodgers' five-game losing streak during a press conference on August 4, 2026, acknowledging his own struggles at the plate despite feeling he's hitting the ball hard. "It's been too long and frustrating," Betts said.
Betts described the stretch as part of the grind of a long season. "It's a long season. Um, just a rut. Um, it's okay. I think everything's okay," he said, adding that he believes everyone on the team is in a good headspace. He noted that his at-bats have felt solid even though the results haven't followed. "I feel like I'm hitting the ball hard. Um, feel like I'm having good at-bats," he stated.
Betts explained that he's trying to avoid judging himself purely on outcomes. "Not trying to be result-based because that's, you know, a deep hole," he said. He added that his daily approach is centered on showing up and pushing through the difficult stretch. "Every day I show up and I'm trying to restore that hope meter," Betts mentioned. He stated that his ultimate focus remains on helping the team win. "At some point you got to help us win," he said.
Asked about the team's effort, Betts pushed back on any suggestion the Dodgers were coasting. "We're not out there playing lackadaisical. We're trying to do what we can to win ball games," he explained. He also referenced a similar mental reset he described about a year earlier in the season, when he said the approach was to play one day at a time.
Betts praised Tarik Skubal for his Dodgers debut performance amid the team's struggles, noting the outing held up well statistically. "He pitched great. I mean, you go and give up, I think, two runs or so," he said of the debut. He expressed relief and admiration watching the performance unfold. "I'm glad he's on our side, and he did an amazing job tonight," Betts added.