Los Angeles Times

Dylan Hernandez: What happened after the Dodgers let three key players leave? They got better.

LOS ANGELES — When Mookie Betts stepped into the batter's box for the final time on Friday night, the stakes were minimal — except they weren't. The Dodgers had a six-run lead over the New York Yankees in the bottom of the eighth inning. But there were two outs, which meant Betts had to reach base for Freddie Freeman to have a chance to extend his 20-game hitting streak. Betts knew what was on ...
The Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts celebrates in the dugout after scoring in the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Saturday, May 27, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

LOS ANGELES — When Mookie Betts stepped into the batter's box for the final time on Friday night, the stakes were minimal — except they weren't.

The Dodgers had a six-run lead over the New York Yankees in the bottom of the eighth inning. But there were two outs, which meant Betts had to reach base for Freddie Freeman to have a chance to extend his 20-game hitting streak.

Betts knew what was on the line.

"Absolutely," he said with a smile. "All of us

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