As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepared to conclude their series against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night, the afterglow of their dramatic walk-off victory lingered. Mookie Betts’s clutch hit secured a 4-0 start to the season, prompting manager Dave Roberts to share a sentiment that resonated throughout Major League Baseball.
Los Angeles Dodgers are Not Even Playing Their Best Baseball
Following their victories against the Chicago Cubs in Japan and their subsequent wins against Detroit, Roberts expressed to USA Today that this opening week was the “best” he’d ever experienced. However, he also emphasized that the team was “not even playing” at their peak.
“This is by far the best opening week I’ve ever experienced,” Roberts stated. “I think that if you’re a Dodger fan, I think that you feel the same way I do. I just couldn’t have scripted it any better. Obviously, we’re 4-0, finding ways to win, and we’re not even playing our best baseball and are still finding ways to win.”
Betts’s game-winning at-bat in the bottom of the 10th inning, a full-count, eight-pitch battle that resulted in a powerful home run, was a moment of pure exhilaration.
“That was super special,” Betts shared. “I know it sounds super selfish, but just more for me, man. I was proud of myself coming in, and playing underweight. Not that it’s a big deal playing underweight, but just the fight. I’ve kind of been through ups and downs, the night where I’m just crying because I’m sick. My wife, they’re kind of holding me, you know, so that’s where that emotion comes from.”