MVP is a secondary prize for Mookie Betts

Mookie Betts doesn’t really care if he wins MVP

Betts is in the running for NL MVP for good reason. In his first season in the National League, he leads all of baseball in several key statistical categories, including home runs for the first time in his career. Mookie’s Dodgers have the best record in all of baseball, and look to be in good shape to hold off the San Diego Padres for the NL West division crown.

“I don’t pay any attention to [the MVP talk], I’m just doing what I can to win a World Series. I am who I am — those things, they come playing the game, you can’t think about those things and think about the game as well. I just have one goal and that’s to win a World Series and whatever comes will come,” Betts said when pressed on the subject Friday night.

As a player who’s already reached paydirt, Betts knows what it takes to win a World Series, and personal accolades don’t mean squat in October.

Can Betts finally put the Dodgers over the top?

The Dodgers didn’t necessarily need another bat, but when offered the opportunity, why not? Betts is one of the best players in all of baseball, and when paired with Cody Bellinger, last year’s NL MVP, it makes for a dangerous 1-2 punch.

Los Angeles’ bullpen remains their one potential weakness, as the rotation looks as strong as ever with a revamped Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buhler, Dustin May and Co. The ‘pen, though, lacks some punch outside of Kenley Jansen. Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol are electric at times, and if they can bring some sort of consistency to the seventh and eighth innings it’ll pay major dividends come October.