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Dodgers Drop Bombshell: Mookie Betts Change Announced vs Red Sox
Dodgers Give Mookie Betts a Break: What You Need to Know About Saturday’s Lineup Changes
By Cole Sullivan, Heavy.com Sports Journalist
The Big Picture
The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped their series opener against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night, losing 9-4 after a rough seventh inning where they gave up five runs. Now they’re looking to bounce back in Game 2 on Saturday with some notable changes to the starting lineup.
What Happened Friday Night?
- Final Score: Red Sox 9, Dodgers 4
- Turning Point: A five-run seventh inning for Boston
- Next Game: Saturday night at Dodger Stadium
- Starting Pitchers:
- Boston: Payton Tolle
- Los Angeles: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Saturday’s Lineup Changes
Manager Dave Roberts shook things up for Game 2. Here are the two biggest moves:
| Player | Change | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Mookie Betts | Night off (despite hits in 4 straight games) | Miguel Rojas at shortstop |
| Kyle Tucker | Night off | Andy Pages in center field |
Important Note: Betts will still be available off the bench as a pinch-hitter if the Dodgers need a big at-bat late in the game.
Full Starting Lineup for Saturday
- Shohei Ohtani — DH (Designated Hitter)
- Andy Pages — CF (Center Field)
- Tommy Edman — 2B (Second Base)
- Freddie Freeman — 1B (First Base)
- Enrique Hernández — LF (Left Field)
- Teoscar Hernández — RF (Right Field)
- Max Muncy — 3B (Third Base)
- Miguel Rojas — SS (Shortstop)
- Dalton Rushing — C (Catcher)
Pitcher: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
How Has Mookie Betts Played in 2026?
Betts is in his 13th MLB season (that’s Major League Baseball — the top professional league). This year has been a bit of a struggle by his superstar standards:
| Stat | Number | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 73 | Missed some time |
| Batting Average | .233 | Lowest of his career |
| Runs Scored | 42 | |
| Hits | 67 | |
| Home Runs | 13 | |
| RBIs | 36 | Runs Batted In |
| Slugging % | .406 | Power measure |
| OPS | .697 | On-base + Slugging (combined metric) |
ELI5 Explanation: Batting average is how often a player gets a hit when they come to bat. .233 means Betts gets a hit about 23% of the time. OPS combines how often he gets on base + how much power he shows. His .697 is below his usual elite level.
Where Do the Dodgers Stand Right Now?
- Record: 69-41 (69 wins, 41 losses)
- Standing: Best record in baseball — by just half a game over the Milwaukee Brewers
- Playoff Picture: If the season ended today, they’d get:
- A first-round bye (skip the wild-card round)
- Home-field advantage throughout the playoffs
- Goal: Third straight World Series title
Trade Deadline Buzz
The MLB trade deadline is Monday, and the Dodgers have been heavily linked to Tarik Skubal, an ace pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. Adding him would make their already scary-good rotation even deeper.
Key Point: Whether they land Skubal or not, the Dodgers are built for a deep October run. Getting injured players healthy is their biggest "need" right now.
Summary
- Dodgers lost Game 1 to Red Sox, 9-4
- Mookie Betts and Kyle Tucker get Saturday off — routine rest, not injury
- Miguel Rojas starts at shortstop; Andy Pages in center
- Betts is having a down year (.233 avg) but remains a dangerous bench weapon
- Dodgers still have MLB’s best record (69-41) and control their playoff destiny
- Trade deadline Monday: watch for a possible Tarik Skubal blockbuster
FAQ
Why is Mookie Betts sitting if he’s been hitting well lately?
A: It’s likely a planned rest day. The Dodgers play almost every day, and even superstars need occasional breaks to stay fresh for the long season and playoffs. He’s still available to pinch-hit.
What does "pinch-hitter" mean?
A: A pinch-hitter is a player who comes off the bench to bat for someone else in a key moment — usually late in a close game. Betts could still impact the game without starting.
Who is Yoshinobu Yamamoto?
A: He’s one of the Dodgers’ top starting pitchers, signed from Japan. He’s expected to give the team a strong outing on Saturday to even the series.
What’s a "first-round bye" in the playoffs?
A: The two best teams in each league (American and National) skip the Wild Card round and go straight to the Division Series. The Dodgers are currently half a game ahead for that spot.
When is the trade deadline and why does it matter?
A: Monday, August 3. After that, teams can’t trade players for the rest of the season. Contenders like the Dodgers often add talent for a playoff push — hence the Skubal rumors.
Cole Sullivan covers the NFL, NBA, college football, and college basketball for Heavy.com. He’s a member of the United States Basketball Writers Association and has written for FanSided, Athlon Sports, The Sporting News, and Newsweek.
