Bets was left out of last night’s match due to this problem, although he returned to the lineup today. However, shortly before the match, he was scratched as his pain remained. As the club continued testing, an MRI revealed a cracked rib, per Ardaya. The expected timing of Betts’ absence is not known at this time, but the loss of a talent like his for any length of time is significant. The former MVP has another great campaign, hitting 0.273 / .349 / .535 for a 148 wRC +. Combining this battery line with his excellent defense and baserunning, Betts has already accumulated 3.3 wins over the replacement of the year, according to the FanGraphs estimate. The Dodgers are having another great season, as has become the rule for them. However, they seem to be in a battle this year, as their 40-24 record is just a percentage point ahead of the Padres, with the Giants lurking just three games behind. This means that every inch will count in the match after the coming season, with the loss of Betts marking a major blow.
