It’s quite rare for any athlete to dominate in one role, let alone two. What’s even rarer is for someone to do it all while changing how the game is perceived. For what Shohei Ohtani has done, turning what many thought impossible into an everyday reality, he has been praised abundantly for it. While his versatility has gotten all the recognition it deserves, only a few give the same recognition to the Dodgers’ veteran infielder, who’s making a comparable impact—in the outfield, though.

In game 3 of the NLCS, Mookie Betts went full Derek Jeter. He delivered a spectacular defensive moment and helped the Dodgers to a 3-1 victory at Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers’ star shortstop followed Shohei Ohtani’s opening triple with his own huge blast. He pulled off a perfect jump throw to secure the crucial out. And after the game, even Jeter couldn’t help but praise the Dodgers star out loud after his standout performance.

“You know, uh, Mookie bounced it. I mean, you have to try to get it there on the air. (0:07) All the way. But I’ll give it to him. I’ll give it to him. But I tell you, the thing is, what people don’t realize is because of all the stars that the Dodgers have, what Mookie Betts is doing—second base, right field, shortstop, flip again, go back. It’s not that easy. I mean, I know we give Ohtani a lot of credit because he’s hit DH-ing and he’s pitching. That’s not easy to move around the diamond like that.” Jeter said.

In fact, channeling his “Mamba Mentality,” Betts believes all sorts of celebration will have to wait until the Dodgers bring that championship ring at home for the second consecutive year. When his club secured a commanding 3-0 NLCS lead over the Milwaukee Brewers with a 3-1 win, Betts said, “I have zero emotions. We’re up, but like Kobe said, the job’s not done.”

Easy to believe he’s inspired big time by Kobe Bryant, who famously paid no mind to a 2-0 lead in the 2009 finals. When the late NBA legend was asked why he wasn’t smiling, he said, “What’s there to be happy about? Job’s not finished.”

… And that’s where Mookie’s mindset is at!

Well, it looks like the job’s about to be finished soon because the Dodgers are only one game away from a return trip to the World Series.

Dodgers are one step closer to another World Series berth

The Dodgers have no idea what’s happening with Shohei Ohtani’s performance slump. Also, Freddie Freeman has been held relatively in check. But still, the Dodgers are one win away from their second straight trip to the World Series. They handed the Milwaukee Brewers another defeat, 3-1, and are very much on pace to complete the four-game sweep on Friday in Chavez Ravine. The 2025 National League Championship Series has looked completely one-sided.

Tyler Glasnow established himself as the latest Dodgers pitcher to silence the Brewers. He allowed only three hits and one run in around six innings. Following his magic, four Dodgers closers combined and gave up just one more hit for the remainder of the night. It’s pretty evident that the Milwaukee Brewers couldn’t go anywhere beyond this. Especially with their best hitters’ bats going cold in the October baseball.

Their very own cleanup hitter, Christian Yelich, drove in a run with a double in Game 1 of the NLCS back in 2018 against the Dodgers. And guess what? Since then, in over 25 October games, he has failed to drive in a single run and has been 2-for-12 since Game 2 of the NLDS against the Cubs.

The World Series begins in only seven days, and as it seems right now, the Dodgers will be there.