Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Voices MVP Support for Freeman and Betts
The National League MVP race is heating up and the Dodgers feature two prominent figures at the top of the lineup day in and day out in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
Both players have taken home MVP honors already in their careers, with Betts winning the AL award in 2018 and Freeman in the NL in 2020. This year's National League MVP competition is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory.
Four standout contenders have emerged, with a pair of Atlanta Braves joining Betts and Freeman in the conversation. Early favorite Ronald Acuna Jr and MLB home run leader Matt Olson more recently closing the gap.
Each possesses strong arguments for the award, making the decision challenging.
Unsurprisingly, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stands firmly behind his players.
"I think all four of those guys are MVP viable candidates. There's no wrong answer. I'm obviously biased towards our guys because I see them every day and I see the impact they have on our ballclub."
Statistically, Olson, Freeman, Acuna, and Betts all lead the National League in OPS (in that order) and each player brings his own standout stat to the table.
Olson, again, leads all of baseball with 43 home runs and 107 RBI. Freeman leads in doubles and dances at second base (not a real stat). Acuna leads in stolen bases by a ridiculous margin at 55 swipes this season. And Mookie is one of the sport's biggest stars and best leadoff hitters.
“It’s the question we all have every year," Roberts added. "What constitutes an MVP? That’s the thing. I could say my definition of valuable is what is their value to our ballclub. Or is it to the best player who has the best statistics? That’s why it’s so debated every year. I don’t know how Olson or Acuna affect the clubhouse. I only know their stat line. I know with our guys.”
As the MVP race unfolds, the Dodgers will do as they always do and focus on the task at hand each day with Mookie and Freddie leading the way at the top of the lineup. The numbers will all be there at the end of the season.
