Mookie Betts details 'sense of urgency' as Dodgers head into pivotal series against NL West-leading Padres

Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts knows his team must adopt an urgent mindset in a tight NL West race with the San Diego Padres.

For the first time since the beginning of the 2025 MLB season, the Los Angeles Dodgers are no longer in first place in the NL West. 

That spot belongs to the surging San Diego Padres, who took that spot with a commanding 11-1 win over the San Francisco Giants, while the Dodgers fell once again to the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday night, 6-5. 

The Dodgers are still in solid playoff position, owning the top wild-card spot with a 68-53 record, while the Padres are 69-52. But eight-time All-Star Mookie Betts says his team, which has lost six of 10, must show some urgency.

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Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts runs the bases after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

"You definitely start to feel it more after the break, especially when you see so many trades and so many teams that are adding, especially the teams you’re going to have to play against," Betts told Fox News Digital while discussing his partnership with Corona and its new "Playa Sounds" soundtrack. 

"Obviously, you want to play all year with a little sense of urgency. It’s hard to do that, but now that sense of urgency is heightened, especially now that we’re tied. [The Padres are] really good and playing really good ball."

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The Padres have ripped off wins in eight of 10 games on their way to overtaking the NL West. And, like Betts mentioned, they were one of the teams that went for it at the