Mookie Betts' struggles highlight a trend for ex-Red Sox in playoffs

Any Boston fans rooting for recent Red Sox alumni during the 2022 MLB postseason have been sorely disappointed to date.

Former Red Sox superstar and 2018 American League MVP Mookie Betts saw his season end in abrupt fashion Saturday, as the San Diego Padres dispatched Betts' 111-win Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series with a Game 4 victory.

It's a massive failure for the Dodgers, who have arguably the most talented roster in baseball yet have lost two of their last three postseason series since winning the World Series in 2020. Betts has been at the center of that failure, as he managed just two hits over four games against the Padres.

Tomase: 40-man roster crunch means tough decisions ahead for Bloom

"Super cool to win that many (regular-season) games," Betts told reporters Saturday night, "but it means absolutely nothing if you lose in the postseason."

Betts isn't alone among ex-Red Sox who have struggled at the plate in their division series, however. Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and Houston Astros catcher Christian Vazquez haven't provided much offensive punch either, as the trio has combined for just four hits between them.

Here's a statistical breakdown of notable ex-Red Sox in their 2022 division series to date:

Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers

NLDS vs. San Diego Padres: 2 for 14 (.143), 1 RBI, 2 runs, 4 Ks, 3 BBs, 1 CS

Betts hit a pair of home runs in the 2020 World Series to help L.A. win the title, so we can't call him a postseason flop with the Dodgers. But we'll just leave this here: In his last two postseason series (both losses), the six-time All-Star has just six hits in 45 at-bats over 10 games.

That's not gonna cut it for a player who signed a 12-year, $365 million contract with L.A. in 2020. Betts was also caught stealing in a Game 2 loss to the Padres.

Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies

NLDS vs. Atlanta Braves: 1 for 13 (.077), 0 RBI, 2 runs, 4 Ks, 3 BBs

The Phillies are still waiting on the clutch power that Schwarber provided the Red Sox in their run to the 2021 ALCS. The 29-year-old has just one hit in 20 at-bats this postseason after going 0 for 7 in the NL Wild Card round against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Fortunately for Schwarber, the Phillies found plenty of offensive production elsewhere against Atlanta to advance to the NLCS. And Schwarber seems to enjoying the ride.

Kyle Schwarber, ex-Cub, ex-Nat, ex-Red Sox: "No offense to any fan base b/c they're all amazing, but this is by far the best Division Series I've ever seen at a home field, just how electric it was. They're in tune with every single pitch in every big spot. It was just electric."

— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) October 15, 2022

Kyle Schwarber brought this song into Phillies clubhouse for the celebrations pic.twitter.com/Kb1TG9mf7w

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 15, 2022

Christian Vazquez, Houston Astros

ALDS vs. Seattle Mariners: 1 for 7 (.143), 0 RBI, 0 runs, 3 Ks, 0 BBs

Vazquez hasn't given the Astros much offensive production since joining Houston at the MLB trade deadline, and he backed up starting catcher Martin Maldonado in the ALDS. But the former Red Sox backstop does deserve props for catching 11(!) scoreless innings in the Astros' 18-inning marathon win over the Mariners (even if he went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts at the plate).

Vazquez has a very good chance to earn his second World Series ring with a loaded Astros team playing in its sixth consecutive ALCS.

Andrew Benintendi, New York Yankees

ALDS vs. Cleveland Guardians: N/A (injured)

Benintendi hasn't played since Sept. 2 due to an injured wrist, but if the Yankees can rally from a 2-1 deficit to beat the Guardians in the ALDS, it sounds like there's a chance he could return for the ALCS.