After the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Opening Day win, Mookie Betts saved the tone measured — assured within the group’s potential, however removed from glad.
“It means nothing,” Betts mentioned. “Just game one.”
That mindset displays a veteran clubhouse centered much less on early statements and extra on the lengthy highway forward. While the Dodgers delivered a comeback efficiency fueled by well timed hitting and pitching, Betts emphasised the larger image — 162 video games, not one sport alone.
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Still, the components that powered the win had been not possible to disregard.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s potential to settle in after early bother stood out, as did an offense that didn’t break regardless of a gradual begin. Betts described the group’s confidence in easy phrases: regardless of the inning or scenario, they consider they’re by no means out of a sport.
“It’s 27 outs,” Betts mentioned. “We can get it started from anywhere in the lineup. That’s the beauty about us.”
That depth confirmed itself as the sport progressed. After being held in examine early, the Dodgers chipped away with high quality at-bats earlier than breaking via in a decisive inning. Betts admitted even he misplaced monitor of how rapidly issues turned.
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“A couple good at-bats here, a couple at-bats there, and then we got them on the ropes,” he mentioned. “We pushed through.”
When requested if that is the perfect lineup he’s been part of, Betts didn’t hesitate to position it among the many elite teams of his profession. He additionally made it clear what separates this one.
“From top to bottom, this is tough to get through,” he mentioned.
Despite the Opening Day buzz, pregame ceremonies, and celebration surrounding the group, Betts famous the Dodgers remained locked in on the duty at hand. That potential to dam out distractions, he mentioned, is a part of what makes the group so harmful.
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“We do a really good job of focusing on the task,” Betts mentioned. “We had a ballgame to play.”
That similar mentality applies to the larger objective looming over the season. With championship expectations — and even speak of a possible three-peat – Betts mentioned the group isn’t getting forward of itself.
“It’s kind of old news,” he mentioned. “We’re not focused on that anymore.”
Instead, the main focus shifts instantly ahead — to the subsequent sport, the subsequent step.
Even exterior narratives, like the thought of the Dodgers as “villains” or a group with a goal on its again, don’t carry weight contained in the clubhouse.
“When you win, that’s what it is,” Betts mentioned. “But the game will determine who wins and loses.”
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For Betts, the message is easy: Ignore the noise, belief the method, and take it one sport at a time.
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