Mookie Betts' Batting Prowess Influences Reds' Pitching Strategy Against Ohtani

Mookie Betts, a former league MVP, is a significant deterrent for Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona when considering intentionally walking Shohei Ohtani in the wild-card series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Francona highlighted his respect for Betts and Freddie Freeman, who bat second and third in the Dodgers' lineup, stating on Wednesday, "You’re kidding, right? Have you heard of Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman?" He warned that intentionally walking Ohtani with dangerous hitters like Betts following in the lineup would be "asking for trouble" and deemed it "a very poor decision."