Dave Roberts: Juan Soto Seemed ‘More Locked In’ At Dodger Stadium

The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their homestand with a four-game series against the New York Mets, which gave the team another look at one of MLB’s biggest stars in Juan Soto.

Soto struggled against the Dodgers at Citi Field last month as he went just 2-for-14 with three RBI and a walk in three games.

However, the 26-year-old looked much improved at the plate this week, reaching base 10 times in 19 plate appearances over the four games against the Dodgers.

“He looks more locked in than we saw him a couple weeks ago. Yeah, he does look more locked in,” manager Dave Roberts said of Soto prior to the series finale.

“Obviously, really nice defensive play made on the foul ball, Will Smith’s at-bat. Made a couple nice plays going back, and that at-bat, really locked in. So, yeah, I don’t know what it is, but he’s dangerous.”

Soto has enjoyed a productive first season with the Mets, even if his numbers are a bit down from recent years. He is hitting .229/.367/.430 with 12 doubles, 11 home runs and 31 RBI in 62 games.

Soto’s home run against the Dodgers on Tuesday was his third in last four games after enduring a drought of 17 in a row without leaving the ballpark.

The four-time All-Star is in the first season of a record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets that surpassed Shohei Ohtani for the largest deal in professional sports history.

Dodgers expect to be ‘battling’ Juan Soto & Mets

After Soto joined the Mets, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said he anticipates the teams will cross paths in the postseason again.

The Dodgers and Mets faced off during the 2024 National League Championship Series, which saw L.A. prevail in six games.

What could become a factor should they meet in the postseason this October is the Mets holding the head-to-head tiebreaker if they finish tied with the Dodgers.