Los Angeles Dodgers finish regular season strong behind Betts and De Paula

The Los Angeles Dodgers finished a strong September, winning 18 of 25 games to close out the regular season. The team's resurgence was driven by a high-powered offense and improved pitching, posting a 5.24 runs per game average while allowing only 3.32 runs per game.

Mookie Betts led the offensive surge, hitting .337/.438/.674 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs during the month. Other key contributors included Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker, and catcher Will Smith, who returned from the injured list to hit .290.

Rising star Josue De Paula has emerged as a potential postseason factor. The 21-year-old rookie, promoted from Double-A, hit .323 with a 1.081 OPS in 11 games while serving as the designated hitter during Shohei Ohtani’s injury absence. After being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, De Paula helped the Comets secure both the Pacific Coast League and Triple-A championships. While concerns remain regarding his defensive capabilities, De Paula has expressed motivation to improve in that area to secure a spot on the Dodgers' postseason roster.