Mookie Betts said on October 9, 2026, that the Los Angeles Dodgers must treat the Milwaukee Brewers as a separate, stronger team and cannot rely on the Dodgers' previous NLCS experience.
Betts assessed Milwaukee as a complete team that can win through small ball, power, pitching and baserunning. He said the Brewers defeated the San Diego Padres in their most recent series by doing what a complete team does, rather than relying only on bunting and running, and stated that the Dodgers need to match them.
Betts noted that the Brewers' postseason improvement may come from gaining experience rather than adding skill, saying, "going in 2026, they have the experience." He also said the Brewers won 100 games, while acknowledging that "the league has probably lost 20 or 30 points on average" offensively and that postseason hitting may reduce averages by another 20 points because hitters face the best pitching and defenses.
Betts explained that he focuses on his own actions and whatever is necessary to help the team win each game, saying, "I can only control what I can control." He added that individual selfishness is less important because "it's a team game."
Betts said the Dodgers' intention should remain producing quality at-bats throughout the postseason even as results and pitchers vary, citing "the intention of having good quality quality at bats throughout the postseason." He maintained that Los Angeles must keep the Brewers separate from any prior experience and match Milwaukee's complete approach.