Dodgers Week 21: Mookie Betts powers up

Last week the Dodgers won two out of three games against both opponents, against the Brewers at home and over the Marlins in Miami. A perfectly fine, even stellar week, by all accounts.

But it’s a testament to how well the Dodgers have played this season that winning two-thirds of their games made the winning percentage go down.

Batter of the week

Mookie Betts was on fire, hitting four home runs. He reached 30 home runs for the third time in his career, and is just the fourth player with 30 homers from the leadoff spot in a season.

Betts specifically terrorized the Marlins, with a six-extra-base-hit weekend, and on the season is 14-for-28 against Miami with four home runs, three doubles, and a triple in six games. He has one more game against them on Monday.

Honorable mention goes to Trayce Thompson, who made the most of his playing time by going 6-for-13 (.462) with two home runs and a double, and to Austin Barnes, who drove in six runs in his two starts.

Pitcher of the week

Julio Urías has been a rock for the Dodgers for the second straight season, and he’s been nearly unbeatable for nearly three months. He actually did lose on Monday, but only allowed a run. Urías started twice, allowing a run in six innings both times out. In August, Urías allowed three runs in 30 innings, with 34 strikeouts.

Week 21 results

4-2 record
41 runs scored (6.83 per game)
20 runs allowed (3.33 per game)
.788 pythagorean win percentage

Year to date

88-38 record
683 runs scored (5.42 per game)
398 runs allowed (3.16 per game)
.729 pythagorean win percentage (92-34)

Magic numbers: 16 to clinch the National League West; 21 to clinch a bye into the Division Series

Transactions

Monday: Brusdar Graterol returned after six weeks on the injured list, and Ryan Pepiot was optioned.

Monday: Max Muncy signed a one-year contract for $13.5 million for 2023 (the same amount of his previous club option), plus a new club option for 2024 worth $10 million and potentially $14 million based on plate appearances.

Monday: Reyes Moronta, who was designated for assignment two days earlier, was claimed off waivers by the D-backs.

Game results

• Monday: Brewers 4, Dodgers 0
• Tuesday: Dodgers 10, Brewers 1
• Wednesday: Dodgers 12, Brewers 6
• Friday: Dodgers 10, Marlins 6 (10 innings)
• Saturday: Marlins 2, Dodgers 1
• Sunday: Dodgers 8, Marlins 1

Previous weekly reviews: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | Week 19 | Week 20

Up next

The Dodgers run the Heath Bell gauntlet, finishing off the wraparound series in Miami with one final game Monday, followed by a battle of the top two teams in the National League in New York, then hosting the Padres back at home.

When Clayton Kershaw starts has been decided but not yet announced — either Thursday in New York or Friday at home. My guess — and it’s just a guess — is Kershaw goes Thursday, and Dustin May gets the extra day of rest.