Boston Red Sox: Mookie Betts earns AL Player of the Week honors
By James Carson
After a slow start, Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts has been heating up and been named the American League Player of the Week for the week of May 9th.
For the second time in his career, Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts has been named the American League Player of the Week.
Over the course of the week, Betts hit .375 with a 1.399 OPS. He has hit three home runs, including a ninth-inning go-ahead shot against the Milwaukee Brewers, and has 11 RBI in that stretch. Betts also hit four doubles, stole a base, scored eight runs, and struck out only twice compared to five walks.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
The hot streak comes after a recent shake up of the lineup that saw Betts return to the leadoff position, where he spent most of last season.
In eight games from the top spot this season, the right fielder is hitting .343 with four home runs. This compares to only .280 with two homers out of the third spot in the order.
After he only hit two home runs in April, Betts has found the power stroke he had las season. The 2016 MVP finalist has hit four homers since May 6th to bring his season total to six. During that time, he has driven in fourteen of his twenty-five runs.
Mookie struggled through the first half of the month as he saw his average drop to .267, but has now brought his average back up to .296.
Can Betts ignite the rest of the offense?
This hot stretch comes at the perfect time for a Red Sox team that continues to struggle through injuries and poor run support. More recently, the pitching staff has struggled while the offense has scored at least four runs in seven of the last eight games.
This more consistent production from Betts will be a key component in the Red Sox overall improvement going forward. He can also serve as a catalyst while his teammates figure out their struggles.
Next: The ‘Greatest Boston Athletes of All-Time’ Round One Results and Round Two Matchups
Betts and the 19-18 Red Sox open a three-game series against the 21-15 St. Louis Cardinals tonight. Eduardo Rodriguez (1-1, 2.80 ERA) takes the mound against Cardinals starter Lance Lynn (4-1, 2.45 ERA).