Dodgers Struggle, Betts and Pages Stand Out

The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced recent inconsistency, punctuated by a 5-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in which they went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position—a weakness highlighted by Mookie Betts. Betts, who recently returned from a fractured toe, has performed well individually, going 3-for-4 in the Cardinals loss and maintaining a .259 average with 8 home runs this season. He rejects claims that his full-time move to shortstop has hampered his offense, referencing prior MVP-caliber and World Series performances at the position. The Dodgers have posted a 6-7 record in their last 13 games but showed resilience in a comeback win over the New York Mets, led by Betts and Will Smith. Young center fielder Andy Pages has emerged as a standout, carrying an 11-game hitting streak and batting .429 in June. Betts' leadership and adaptability remain vital as the Dodgers contend with challenges in the NL West.