McAdam: Mookie Betts is good - and getting better all the time

TORONTO -- He finished second in the A.L. MVP balloting two seasons ago, and last year, in a season that was considered something of a regression for him, he still managed to finish sixth.

That alone should say something.

And yet, there's the unshakeable feeling that Mookie Betts is only now maximizing his potential. For the third time on the Red Sox' current road trip, Betts homered to lead off the game Wednesday, and for the second time on the same trip, he wasn't through there, adding another -- a two-run blast -- in the seventh that meant the difference in the Sox' 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.For the season, Betts has a slash line of .350/.442/.750 that speaks volumes. For the road trip, he's collected six homers in seven games while knocking in seven. It's not yet May and Betts is second in homers, second in slugging percentage, second in OPS and second in extra-base hits.

"It's been a lot of fun,'' said Betts of his recent surge. "Just trying to do what I can to help us win.''

That is Betts: modest, uncomfortable in the spotlight, and eager to turn the attention to the team rather than himself. But the more he hits like this, the more difficult it's going to be for him to shrug off his own accomplishments.

And yet, despite his reluctance to focus on his own achievements, Betts has expectations for himself from which he won't shrink. Asked Wednesday night whether he believes there's another gear to his game that he's not yet reached when it comes to power, Betts quickly agreed.

"I think so,'' he said. ''I think I'm just learning, with the new hitting guys (Tim Hyers and Andy Barkett) and J.D. (Martinez) and I'm just kind of putting things together and actually learning how to use my strength as opposed to just going off ability.''

Betts hit 31 homers in 2016, but slipped to 24 a year ago. But armed with data which encourages him to be more aggressive -- especially early in the count -- and freed from traditional leadoff responsibilities, Betts has flexed his muscles and driven balls all over -- and out of -- ballparks through the first 23 games.

"Going out there, I'm trusting in my ability,'' he said, "and I'm prepared for whoever's on the mound.''

On Wednesday, Betts showed extraordinarily good timing with each of his two homers. In the first, he hammered a 2-and-0 pitch from starter Aaron Sanchez and hit it out to left, giving the Red Sox -- losers of three straight, with just four runs in the last three games -- an immediate shot in the arm.

"It seemed like we needed something like that,'' noted manager Alex Cora. "I know that (the Blue Jays) scored right away (in the bottom of the inning), but it felt good.''

"Getting that success (in your first at-bat) helps with your confidence,'' he said, having added to his franchise record of 14 career leadoff homers.

Then, in the seventh, trailing by a run, Betts took a pitch from reliever Danny Barnes on the outer half of the plate and extended his arms enough to drive it out to right, giving the Red Sox their first lead since his first-inning homer.

Two swings of the bat, three runs scored for a Red Sox desperate to end an early-season skid.

Beyond the power, there's also the matter of Betts scoring runs from atop the lineup. He's scored eight in his last seven games and is averaging more than a run per games (25 in 21 games played). It's highly unlikely that he can keep up that pace, but there seems no ceiling to his overall game.

Blessed with fast hands and great strength, it seems Betts is only now tapping into his power potential. Armed with more information about when to swing and more specifically, what to swing at, Betts has taken his game to another level.

"That's the goal,'' said Cora. "I think he's making some adjustments, not only approach-wise but mechanically. He should (improve), he should. We feel he's going to hit for average, he will hit for power, and obviously, with his legs, he can do a lot of stuff on the bases. Defensively, we know. He's a complete player.''

And getting better all the time.