Mookie Betts took over Game 1 of the World Series in the fifth inning and turned it into a showcase of smart, aggressive baserunning. Facing Tyler Glasnow, Betts worked a leadoff walk, his second of the night. He immediately took aim at stealing, calmly reading Glasnow’s delivery before taking off for second on a low changeup. He got there without a throw. Then, after a quick chat at second—where it looked like he and Willy Adames joked about contracts (and maybe tacos)—Betts sized up the pitcher again and nabbed third just as easily. Glasnow’s missed pickoff attempt in between cost him badly. With Mookie on third, the double play was no longer in play.
Max Muncie came up and hit a sharp grounder to Yandy Díaz, who made a solid throw home. But Betts was too fast. He beat the throw and scored, giving the Dodgers a key run and pumping his fist all the way. That set up another run as Corey Seager moved to third and scored right after. Glasnow got pulled not long after, unable to stop the chaos Betts kicked off. Mookie didn’t just walk and steal bases—he changed the entire inning with timing, speed, and instincts.