Mookie Betts praised Josue De Paula on September 18, 2026, for his ability to handle any pitching matchup.
Betts said De Paula is impacting the ball, controlling the strike zone and handling every type of matchup despite his youth. “Someone so young that can handle really anybody up there pitching,” Betts said, adding that De Paula has been doing it throughout his career.
Betts described De Paula as quiet and focused on the field but lively away from it. “When he gets on the field it's like a quiet focus but when he's off the field he likes joking and laughing,” Betts noted. Betts also praised him, saying, “He's just awesome.”
Betts said the Dodgers want consistent performance throughout the season rather than waiting to turn it on in the postseason. “We don't want to try and turn anything on once the postseason starts,” he stated.
The Dodgers' constant opportunities and runners on base create pressure, Betts explained, but that pressure is also the beauty of the team's approach. “We just keep giving ourselves opportunities,” he said. Betts added that the Dodgers must keep creating opportunities, while also mentioning that Edwin Diaz looked good in the game.
Betts said the Dodgers plan to keep playing well, creating opportunities and avoiding letups through the end of the season: “We just have to keep playing.”