BOSTON — The scouting report on Mookie Betts entering last year’s American League Division Series was a simple one.
The Red Sox right fielder would take either the first pitch or the first strike in each of his first two at-bats. Betts would then swing early in the count in his third at-bat. Astros pitchers adjusted accordingly, and Betts managed just two extra-base hits without driving in a run while Boston was eliminated in four games. [...]
BOSTON — The scouting report on Mookie Betts entering last year’s American League Division Series was a simple one.
The Red Sox right fielder would take either the first pitch or the first strike in each of his first two at-bats. Betts would then swing early in the count in his third at-bat. Astros pitchers adjusted accordingly, and Betts managed just two extra-base hits without driving in a run while Boston was eliminated in four games.
Houston’s former bench coach has no issue sharing his secrets with Betts now. Red Sox manager Alex Cora had a good look at the five-tool talent and he broached the topic of swinging earlier in the count with Betts soon after his November hiring.
“He must really pay attention to detail,” Betts remembered thinking. “It was one of the first things he said.”
Betts swung at 53.8 percent of pitches in the strike zone last season, his lowest number since becoming a regular in 2015. His OPS dipped nearly 100 points from his breakout 2016 campaign, a year in which he finished second to Angels outfielder Mike Trout in the A.L. Most Valuable Player voting. Cora saw a chance for Betts to produce out of the leadoff spot along similar lines as George Springer, the Astros’ star outfielder who homered five times while leading his team to a World Series title in 2017.
“I saw it first-hand last year,” Cora said. “I know how it works. He accepted the challenge, and he’s doing an outstanding job.”
Betts changed his tune from the opening pitch of the season, sending a deep drive to left-center at Tropicana Field that was run down by Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier. He’s ambushing opposing pitchers early and often, swinging at 58.4 percent of pitches in the strike zone through 10 games. That’s the exact number Betts carried through 158 games two years ago, as he racked up a career-high 31 home runs and 78 extra-base hits.
“He showed me numbers of my swing percentages,” Betts said. “Not necessarily scouting reports — just swing more often.”
Betts began his historic night Tuesday from his opening at-bat, hitting a leadoff double off the Green Monster for the third straight game of the homestand. He finished with his third career grand slam and a career-high five runs scored, the catalyst in a 14-1 win over the Yankees at Fenway Park. Betts became the first Red Sox player to have at least four hits, four runs scored and four RBI against New York since runs batted in became an official statistic 98 years ago.
“The great thing about him is his ability to make contact is unreal,” Cora said. “And he can do damage when he makes contact.”
Betts entered Wednesday connecting on 95 percent of his swings this season, including 97.8 percent of swings at pitches in the strike zone. He struck out swinging in his third at-bat on Opening Day against Rays ace Chris Archer and didn’t miss again for a full week. Betts went a span of 26 plate appearances and 105 pitches before striking out swinging against Tampa Bay reliever Andrew Kittredge in the 11th inning of a 3-2 win last Thursday.
“I know he’s not swinging and missing, but I told him, ‘Hey man, there’s nothing wrong with swinging and missing at pitches. It doesn’t matter. Go for it.’
“There was a 2-0 count, he took a big hack and he swung and missed — it’s just a strike. With his ability, he’s going to put the ball in play later in the at-bat.”
The at-bat Cora referenced was in the fifth inning Tuesday night against New York starter Luis Severino. Betts wound up drawing a walk, a warmup for a sixth frame when he doubled to left and sent a screaming liner into the Green Monster seats to cap a nine-run rally.
“I think it’s an easy adjustment — pretty much swing more,” Betts said. “When I’m in the box, that’s kind of what I’m thinking — get some good swings off and see what happens.”
— bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25