For the second time in as many months, former Boston Red Sox star Mookie Betts turned to one of ex-teammates for help in the batter’s box.
“J.D. Martinez recently flew to Los Angeles to help out Mookie Betts, who’s experiencing a timely resurgence,” the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported last week. “It’s the second time Martinez had a hitting session with Betts following one in Tampa weeks before.”
Betts hit just .205 in July before turning to Martinez for help. That included an 0-for-22 slide which resulted in a career-worst five-game hitless streak. The 2018 American League MVP turned it around in August, hitting .288. His bat remains hot with Betts hitting .312 this month.
The eight-time All-Star is still hitting a career-low .258 for the season but his power has returned in September. He’s hit six home runs while driving in 20 runs this month.
Betts hopes he stays locked in when the playoffs start next week, with the Dodgers looking to defend their World Series title.
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Martinez and Betts first bonded in 2018 when they led the Red Sox to the club’s ninth World Series title. They reunited in 2023 with the Dodgers.
Martinez last played in 2024 with the New York Mets. The designated hitter was a batting savant during his 14-year MLB career. The six-time All-Star owns a lifetime .283 batting average and hit least .300 five times.
The 38-year-old Martinez enjoyed his best big-league season with the Red Sox, hitting 43 home runs while leading the majors in RBIs (130) and total bases (358).
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He finished fourth in voting for American League MVP, which went to Betts as the dynamic duo carried Boston to its fourth title in the 21st century.