If there were any questions about whether the Los Angeles Dodgers could sustain their offensive firepower without Mookie Betts in the lineup, Monday night at Dodger Stadium answered them loudly. The Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 14-2, hitting five home runs and scoring in a manner that left little doubt about the defending champions’ capabilities.
Dalton Rushing was the headline. The Dodgers catcher went 4-for-4 with two solo home runs — the first multi-home run game of his MLB career — and the kind of performance that announces a player to a national audience.
Rushing Steps Into the Spotlight
Rushing has been a piece of the Dodgers’ catching picture for the early part of 2026, but Monday was something different. His first home run came off a pitch he drove well into the seats, and his second came later in the game in an at-bat that showed both his power and his patience at the plate. He finished 4-for-4 — one of those perfect games that you remember as a hitter for a long time.
His performance came in the middle of a lineup that had every reason to be distracted. Betts has been on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain. The Dodgers were shorthanded in a recognizable way. But Rushing and the rest of the lineup made the absence largely academic on Monday night.
The Rest of the Barrage
Rushing’s two home runs were part of a five-HR night for the Dodgers. Teoscar Hernandez hit a two-run shot and drove in four runs total. Freddie Freeman added a two-run home run of his own, finishing with three RBIs. Shohei Ohtani — in the middle of a 36-game on-base streak — added a solo home run to his 2026 total.
Five different players with five home runs. Fourteen runs. Against a Blue Jays team that got no answers from their pitching staff and no traction from their lineup in the face of a Dodgers rotation and bullpen that kept Toronto off the board.
The final score of 14-2 was not misleading. This was a dominant performance from a team that has championship expectations and the personnel to back them up.
A Statement Without Betts
The most important context for Monday’s performance is what it happened without. Betts — one of the best hitters in baseball — is on the IL and his return timeline, while more optimistic than initially feared, remains uncertain. The Dodgers recalled Hyeseong Kim from Triple-A to cover the roster spot.
A lineup that functions this well without its most recognizable position player is a lineup that should concern the rest of the National League. When Betts returns, the Dodgers get materially better. On Monday night, they were already scoring 14 runs without him. That is a problem for everyone else in baseball.
What’s Next
The Dodgers continue their series against the Blue Jays in the coming days before returning to NL West competition. Shohei Ohtani’s next pitching start will draw significant attention — his March 31 debut against the Guardians featured six scoreless innings, and the Dodgers rotation will be leaning on him heavily throughout the season. Monday’s offensive performance was a reminder that this team does not need everyone firing at once to produce at a dominant level. When they are at full strength, the ceiling is frightening.
