NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: METS VS DODGERS

October 16, 2024

Mookie Betts

Citi Field

Los Angeles Dodgers

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. When you look at this match-up today, what have you kind of seen from Severino, and how are you guys hoping to get to him early in this one?

MOOKIE BETTS: Shoot, I haven't seen Severino since August, I saw him last year -- I don't remember.

But, I mean, really we've just got to play. There's no magic formula. We've just got to play the game how we always play. Can't do more. Can't do less. It's really just the winning mindset, just play a full 27 outs.

Q. As much as it's important how to start, it's also really important how you guys finish games. You obviously didn't get the win for Game 2, but you did see quite a few of their high-leverage arms. How valuable is that information going into these three games here in New York?

MOOKIE BETTS: It's good to really get a look at those guys, but you know that they're going to make adjustments, just like we're going to make adjustments. So getting to that spot again, obviously, things won't be the same.

Just gotta see how it plays out. But if we get into a spot, it means something good's probably happening.

Q. Just want to start off by asking how you're doing, Game 1 to Game 2, big turnaround, the cross-country flight. How are you feeling today?

MOOKIE BETTS: Great. We do it all year. It's nothing really that new.

Q. In a short period of time, what has your mental and physical preparation been like to try to get back to the production we saw at the plate in Game 1?

MOOKIE BETTS: I mean, just the same thing. I've been, probably for the whole playoffs, I've probably been taking couple hundred swings a day, did it again yesterday and I'll go do it again today. Probably taking way too many, but I'd rather do that.

So, I mean, really it's just being good with my plan and getting some good swings off. But it's going to take all of us and hopefully I can get up in a spot and help us win.

Q. How often will you do the couple hundred swings thing during the regular season? Or is this something you've just been working through or adding into your routine the last couple of weeks here?

MOOKIE BETTS: I never do it during the season. It's really not sustainable. I'm surprised I haven't broke down, but I do a really good job in taking care of my body.

I mean, especially in a time like now, there's not very many tomorrow's. They run out pretty quick. So I'm really just trying to do what I can to help us, and the last thing I want to do is not give it 100, 110 percent.

It's not something that I want to do. I don't want to go in there and hit all day. But it's something that, based off of my play, I need to do.

Q. Is it more just looking for a feel when you're taking that many swings? Or is it trying to make something in your mechanics by taking that many reps?

MOOKIE BETTS: I think that's the point of the 500 swings because I don't know. I'm trying to figure out which one it is and hopefully something sticks. Not hitting is definitely -- you're not going to find it not hitting. I've got to look for it somehow in those couple hundred. It will be in there.

Q. So many teams are using bullpen games or going to their bullpens early even in playoff games. As a hitter you may not even see the same pitcher more than twice. How difficult does it make it when you're seeing someone that many times?

MOOKIE BETTS: It makes it a lot more difficult. But it's part of the game. It is what it is. You've got to figure it out.

But it's new and it makes it tough, but like I said it is what it is. You've got to score on somebody -- regardless, they've got to throw it over the plate.

So may not face the same game. But it's the same ball and the same 60 feet.

Q. Having now played the Mets in these two games to begin the series, just how different is this team compared to when you saw them at the beginning of the year? Does anything stand out in particular?

MOOKIE BETTS: I don't even remember. It seemed like it was so long ago. I would be guessing. I don't really know.

I'm assuming the unity. But they had that early. So I don't even know. They were a good team early, good team now. You don't make it here by luck. Seems like they've always been a pretty good team.

Q. What have your impressions been after a full season, I guess, playing with Yamamoto?

MOOKIE BETTS: It's been awesome. It's really been awesome, the way he goes about his work, that's awesome.

But the thing I really like the most is his head on his shoulders. He doesn't get down. He gets excited with the boys. And, boy, if he doesn't pitch well or something happens, he doesn't let it get to him. He really refocuses and gets back on track.

And I think he had a little nerves maybe early in the postseason. But right after that, you see how dominant he can be. So I'm glad he's on our team.

Q. We know your relationship with J.D. going back to Boston, being teammates last year. Have you guys had any conversations during this series, or that will wait until after?

MOOKIE BETTS: I've only seen him for like two minutes during a stretch. Yeah, I mean, even though we're battling against each other, that's my brother. I've known him for, like I said, since Boston, and we were together every day.

That brotherhood runs really, really deep. Obviously in between the lines we're going to take care of business. Obviously there's a brotherhood, but we're not going to be friends then. But as soon as we step away from the lines, that's my brother and I love him. But right now we're battling.

Q. Do those 500 swings come from watching J.D. take 500 swings a day last year?

MOOKIE BETTS: No, it didn't come from that. It comes from the lack of help I've given the team. So it's really just something I want to do is just help us win.

Q. Aside from Shohei as a baseball player, being with him for the last seven to eight months, what have you learned about him as a person?

MOOKIE BETTS: He's a regular guy. He's just a regular dude, just like you and me. He just has a superpower that you and me can't do. So that's pretty much it. But he's a normal dude, goes about his work just like everyone else.

I wish I could explain something he does different, but he doesn't do anything different.

Q. What's his sense of humor like? What does he do that cracks you up?

MOOKIE BETTS: He has little one-liners through conversations. Sometimes when we start talking, it may get a little too fast. But when he understands it, he has little one-liners that he'll come out of left field with.

But other than that, Sho's a pretty cool, calm, collected. He just kind of sits and chills and does his thing.