After months of anticipation, we are finally here at the juncture of one of baseball’s most electrifying series. Second only to the storied Subway Series in terms of hype and fanfare, the Dodgers are set to host the Yankees in a clash that feels far more than just another regular-season showdown. If you remember the memory of last year’s postseason, the Dodgers dismantled the Yankees in just five games.
It was a humbling defeat, one that has lingered in the clubhouse and fueled a quiet fire throughout the offseason. So, it’s a game of redemption for the Yankees. But as fans and players alike zero in on the emotional weight of this showdown, a bold move by the Dodgers has suddenly caught all the attention.
Tonight’s #Dodgers lineup vs. Yankees: pic.twitter.com/Gk5io7JWD9
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 30, 2025
Mookie Betts, the prized shortstop of the Dodgers, is missing from their lineup! Injury? No. Suspension? No. Strategic gameplay? Yes!
Well, the reason for Betts’ absence from the lineup remains unclear. But speculations are rife that it could be a calculated move by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. If you remember, Betts has struggled against left-handed pitching this season, posting a modest .204 BA and a .641 OPS. On the other hand, the Yankees are reportedly bringing the Cy Young contender Max Fried to the scene! So yes, the move, sort of, looks like a strategic one by Roberts.
But hey, it is not obvious that strategic gameplay will always sit well with the fans. Moreover, when your omission is an MVP, it surely makes the fans unsettled. Guess what, the same happened here, and fans are flooding the X, asking about Betts.
But there might be more to Betts’ absence than just a strategic reason. Let’s take a deeper dive.
So, who’s coming in place of Mookie Betts?
Miguel Rojas. However, will he be effective enough in such a high-profile spot? For starters, Rojas has managed just one home run and two RBIs in 40 plate appearances against left-handed pitching this season. While the figures are nothing game-changing, this is only adding frustration among fans, many of whom are left wondering why one of the game’s most dynamic players is watching from the dugout on a night like this.
Fans are asking for the Dodgers’ prized shortstop
While this game against the Yankees will be the second for Betts to miss out of 55 games he played this season, it has frustrated the fans beyond limits! “Rojas and Conforto but no Mookie or Kim???????? Let me speak to Roberts,” wrote a fan.
It’s not only about Mookie Betts; the Dodgers also omitted their 2B, Kim Hye-seong, from today’s game. Enough for this fan to ask for Roberts’ contact details to have a discussion. Betts got a career BA of .281 against the Yankees, with 16 HRs and 68 runs scored from 102 games. And he got replaced by whom? A guy with a .273 BA and only 5 runs against the Yankees until now! Disparity or what? Anyway it goes, the fans are left scratching their head.
Rojas and Conforto but no Mookie or Kim???????? Let me speak to Roberts
— Paloma Tarango (@TarangoPaloma) May 30, 2025
“Another weird lineup again. Is this spring training?” wrote another fan. Yes, this is no spring training, but what if the first choice is injured? As per the MLB insider, Jon Heyman, Betts is dealing with a toe/foot issue and may get X-rays. In that case, you ought to proceed with your second choice, be it a league game or spring training. Hopefully, the Dodgers will get him back by the second game of the series.
Keep an eye on this space to know more about what other fans are thinking about this move..
The post Mystery Omission From Dodgers Lineup for Yankees Series Opener Leaves Fans Confused: “Let Me Speak to Roberts” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
