Betts Slumps as Dodgers Face Elimination

Mookie Betts has struggled in the 2025 World Series, going 3-for-23 (.130) with no extra-base hits or RBIs, and he was bumped from the No. 2 to No. 3 spot for Game 5, candidly admitting, "I’ve been terrible." The slump is part of a broader Dodgers offensive drought — 18 runs across five games, including just three in Games 4 and 5 — leaving the defending champions on the brink of elimination and needing wins in Toronto to repeat. Analysts and opponents have pointed to Betts’ transition to shortstop and heavy workload as potential causes, with at least one rival suggesting a move back to right field next season. Despite the slide, Betts remains a clubhouse leader and noted humanitarian — a recent Roberto Clemente Award recipient and head of the 5050 Foundation — and has provided light moments, including a quip after the 18-inning Game 3 classic. In that Game 3, Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off home run after Shohei Ohtani reached base nine times, underscoring that the Dodgers still have game-breaking contributors even as the offense struggles.