Dodgers’ Mookie Betts is back — this time, for real

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SAN DIEGO — Something good is about to happen.

There are numbers that indicate Betts is back, and we’ll get to those later in this column.

But the most convincing evidence of his offensive resurgence is the feeling he inspires these days when he steps into the batter’s box — specifically, that something good is about to happen.

This was the feeling he used to evoke in his first 3 ½ seasons with the Dodgers.

This was the feeling that has been missing since he broke his hand in the middle of the 2024 season.

And on Sunday, when Betts went to the plate with the bases loaded in the fifth inning, this was the feeling that spread throughout Petco Park, which was overtaken by visiting fans.

Betts delivered, his two-run single off Michael King turning a one-run lead into a three-run advantage and sending the Dodgers on their way to a 4-2 victory over the Padres.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” Betts told The California Post. “We’re seeing the ball well … and I feel like we’re taking good swings.”

Not every at-bat ends like that, of course. Baseball isn’t that kind of sport.

The point is that he’s becoming an offensive presence again, and that alone can transform the Dodgers’ lineup.

Betts is reluctant to say anything about rediscovering his old self and understandably so. He’s endured several false starts this season. There were a number of times he thought he found his swing, only to find himself back to square one shortly after.

Only this time, he’s felt like himself for more than one at-bat or one game — or even one week. 

Over his last 14 games, he’s batting .368 with five home runs and 10 RBIs. He was 2-for-4 on Sunday, and he homered in each of his three previous games.

When Betts was playing at All-Star levels, manager Dave Roberts used to say that as Betts went, the Dodgers went.

The Dodgers’ record during Betts’ 14-game hot streak: 10-4.

Betts said he’s regaining the feel that he lost over the last couple of seasons.

Two years ago, he broke his left hand in the middle of the season and went from being a Most Valuable Player candidate to batting just .263 after returning from the injured list.

Last year, he contracted norovirus before the start of the season and lost nearly 20 pounds. He went on to bat a career-worst .258.

This year, he was set back by a strained oblique muscle in the second week of the season. He was batting under .200 as recently as June 13. 

Betts acknowledged his confidence was dented by his inability to recapture his form from when he was one of the best players in the sport.

“I’m a human being,” he said. “I just think mostly just because I wasn’t really confident in my preparation. Now, I feel like I’m preparing the right way. I find confidence in the way I prepare every day, and so that allows me to have confidence when I step in the box.”

“There’s more intent with him in the batter’s box and a lot less indecisiveness,” Roberts said. “For me, if he can kind of have that proactive approach and aggressive approach, then everything else is going to take care of itself. He’s just not as in-between anymore and getting some good swings off.”

Roberts pointed to the home run Betts hit Friday night, which came on the first pitch of his first at-bat against former Dodgers ace Walker Buehler.

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“I think it starts with his intent when he gets in the batter’s box,” Roberts said. “And you saw it with Walker, the first-pitch homer. I think now he’s stepping into the box ready to hit. When he’s doing that, I think pitchers start to feel him a little more.”

However, Betts wasn’t convinced pitchers were viewing him any different, saying in his typically self-effacing manner, “Honestly, the only person I’ve noticed they pitch around is Shohei [Ohtani].”

The one area in which Betts has performed consistently has been on defense, as the former right fielder is the co-leader among NL shortstops in defensive runs saved.

“At least I can do one side of the ball,” Betts said with a chuckle.

By the looks of it — actually, by the feel of it — he’s on his way back to doing both.