"We're going to win the World Series" - Mookie Betts shared Dodgers' bullish "mindset" after shutting down Mets in NLCS Game 1
The Los Angeles Dodgers made a statement after a comprehensive 9-0 shutout win over the New York Mets in the NLCS Game 1 on Sunday. Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts emphasized the team's mentality following the blowout win.
Following a high-octane division series against fierce rivals San Diego Padres, the Dodgers outplayed the Mets in all departments at Dodger Stadium to take an early advantage in the best-of-seven championship series.
Former MVP Mookie Betts, who is having a stellar postseason, asserted the team's mindset every time they take the field. In an on-field interview with Ken Rosenthal, he said:
"We're going to win the World Series. That's our mindset, that's our goal each and every time we step on the field and we showed that tonight."
Betts went 1-4 for the night with a double, a walk and three RBIs as the Dodgers offense overpowered the Mets. The eight-time All-Star ended his postseason slump with two home runs in the division series against the San Diego Padres.
Mookie Betts in awe of Dodgers pitching staff's scoreless streak
While the Dodgers offense led by Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman were relentless on Sunday, the Mets had no answers to the Los Angeles pitching led by Jack Flaherty.
Flaherty's seven shutout innings helped the Dodgers equal the record for most consecutive innings without a run as they extended the streak to 33 scoreless innings on Sunday. They tied the record set by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1966 World Series.
"That's crazy," Betts said in the same interview. "I mean usually, you get some pitching duels but there are a lot of hitting going on typically in the postseason and for our guys to do this. I'm not saying they are making it easy for us but I love it should I say."
Following the game, manager Dave Roberts announced Game 2 would be a bullpen game as the Dodgers are still struggling with injury issues to several starting pitchers and Yoshinobu Yamamoto is likely to start in NLCS Game 3.