Mookie Betts said on October 14, 2026, that the Los Angeles Dodgers must stay present, play one pitch at a time and trust they can overcome their postseason deficit.
“We try and stay in the present and focus on the task at hand,” Betts said. He added, “We just have to start with one game. Really, one pitch at a time.” Betts noted that maintaining that focus across six or seven months is difficult and that postseason concentration requires “a lot of energy, a lot of mental energy.”
Betts stated that scoring opportunities would be important because every part of the opposing pitching staff is strong: “Anytime we can score a run, I think it's going to be very important.” He evaluated the Dodgers as not playing terribly but said, “We're just not getting the hits that we need to really explode as an offense.”
Betts said the Dodgers could draw on their postseason experience from 2024 against the San Diego Padres and 2025 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He explained that he needed almost two years to feel normal again after making adjustments while playing through an injury, saying, “When you're hurt, you just want to play.” Betts also expressed support for Choi, saying, “I feel for him. I know he's grinding.”
Betts, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers and played for the Boston Red Sox, urged the team and its fans to create shared energy at Dodger Stadium: “Dodger Stadium needs to show up and we got to show up with them.” The Dodgers' next step, according to Betts, is to begin with one game and continue one pitch at a time.