Fresh off a two-week stint on the injured list (the result of “right hip inflammation”), Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts slotted in at second base Tuesday against the Astros (more on them in a minute), starting there for just the third time in his last seven seasons. And, because Betts can do virtually anything on a baseball diamond, the former American League MVP made a catch for the ages, going airborne to rob Astros All-Star Michael Brantley (whose .330 average leads the majors) of a base hit.
In terms of positioning, Betts obviously had a leg up with the shift in place, but credit the 28-year-old for his impeccable timing, patrolling his patch of land in right field like few others. It’s been an eventful few days for Mookie, who made a similarly spectacular play over the weekend, tracking down a popup off the bat of Diamondbacks third baseman Drew Ellis before nearly doubling up Ketel Marte at first base. Betts also contributed a solo home run that afternoon as the Dodgers trounced Arizona, 13-0.
Betts’ recent venture at second base is likely just a temporary measure, though those competing in fantasy baseball hope he’ll stay a little while longer. The five-time Gold Glove recipient needs just three more starts to gain second-base eligibility in Yahoo leagues.
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Despite Betts’ defensive heroics, the defending champion Dodgers fell 3-0 to Houston in Tuesday night’s series opener. As expected, the Astros were heckled mercilessly in their return to Chavez Ravine (site of their now tainted 2017 World Series), prompting the Dodgers PA announcer to restore order by issuing a reminder for fans to keep their language PG-rated while refraining from throwing objects on the field.
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