The approach was sound on paper. With one out, a runner on second, and Shohei Ohtani stepping up, the Athletics thought to play it safe. By intentionally walking Ohtani, the A’s hoped for a better game against Mookie Betts, who had entered the game hitless in his last seven at-bats.

But this time, Betts certainly didn’t disappoint. He had been in such a situation before—five times now, in fact—since Betts and Ohtani swapped places in the Dodgers’ lineup last season. Almost every time, Betts has made the opposing team regret giving him that shot. This was nothing new. With a 2-1 count and tension building in the stadium, the star of the game turned on a fastball and smashed a two-run double into the right-center gap. After that, Enrique Hernández and Ohtani came racing home. Dodgers fans erupted, but louder than the cheers was Betts himself.

“Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!” the star roared, his eyes fixed on the A’s dugout. This was not just a clutch hit—it was a message. He had taken that walk to Ohtani personally and shaken up the mound. “Just let some emotion go,” Betts later said, highlighting just how deep the moment ran.

The data tells the rest of the story. After intentional walks to Ohtani, Betts is now 3-for-4 with seven RBIs. Betts’ resume in such moments includes a walk-off home run, a ninth-inning game-winner, and currently a game-breaking double. Manager Dave Roberts recognized the moment for what it was. “Sometimes that kind of unlocks a player,” Roberts said. And Betts? He knows the approach makes sense, which is why he said, “I get it. I would not want to pitch to Shohei either.” However, acknowledging the logic doesn’t mean he will ignore it.

Following that fiery moment, Betts’ postgame comments provided a clearer window into his thought process. Once the star saw Miguel Rojas lay down the bunt and Ohtani step up, Betts said, “I knew they were not going to pitch to him.” That realization flipped a switch. “I just tried to mentally prepare to do something great.” Combined with Max Muncy’s three-run homer shortly after, his double not only gave the team breathing room—it turned a tight battle into a comfortable 9-3 win.

Fans reaction to Mookie Betts’ statement game 

If there is one thing Dodgers fans know how to do, it is show up with loud perspectives—specifically when their stars deliver in style. After Betts’ fiery two-run delivery and the team’s 9-3 win over the Athletics, social media lit up with reactions. While some fans praised the team’s star-studded lineup, others highlighted the strategic weight behind Betts’ reaction.

One fan said, “The best lineup in baseball. MVP after MVP.” It is tough to argue with that. The Dodgers’ current roster contains multiple MVP winners. Ohtani won his second AL MVP in 2023. Betts was crowned in 2018. In addition, young rising stars like Andy Pages and Hyeseong Kim only deepen the lineup. For instance, Pages is not an MVP winner; he has won the MVP honors in the minor leagues. This was not just a game the team won; it was a game that highlighted the depth of the Dodgers’ firepower. When you can replace one MVP with another and still have hitters like Muncy and Michael Conforto, lurking, calling this the most dangerous lineup is no exaggeration.

Another impressed fan said, “Do not walk a GOAT to get another GOAT to the plate.” That sentiment captured what analytics sometimes forget: intangibles. Sure, Betts had been in a slump; however, intentionally walking Ohtani in that moment overlooked Betts’ history of delivering in those exact situations. He has multiple clutch moments in his career, especially during the 2024 season. These include vital hits in the postseason, including a four-hit performance in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Mets. He is widely known for his overall performance, having been awarded as the All-MLB First Team for the third consecutive year.

Then came the emotional reaction, with one fan saying, “Do not ever bet against Betts. This felt personal. Go mock.” No stat analyzes revenge energy. However, anyone watching his scream toward the A’s dugout could feel it. He was not just making contact—Betts was making a point. This fan, like many, connected with the raw emotion and saw it as a turning point not just for the game but also for Betts himself.

However, not all fans were impressed by him. One fan said, “Did they not lose 11-1 yesterday against them?” A crucial reminder that MLB’s best have off days. Today it was Betts, and that day it was Jacob Wilson. He hit a pair of two-run homers, and the Athletics delivered a season-high 18 hits and beat the Dodgers 11-1. That blowout loss in the series opener was fresh in fans’ minds and added urgency to the Dodgers’ bounce-back win.

Another fan said, “Go Dodgers. Tie up the series.” That is what Wednesday’s win ultimately did. It evened the series and reasserted the team’s dominance after a stumble. According to ESPN BET, the Dodgers have the scope to win the World Series again in 2025, opening as +400 favorites to repeat and are sitting at more than 240 as the MLB season going to enters the middle of May.

More than the scoreboard, this win restored swagger, energy, and trust among the fanbase. As the team continues their 2025 campaign, such moments—when stars shine, feelings run high, and fans get loud—are the ones that make it all feel electric.

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