Dodgers’ Ohtani: Hitting Slump Unrelated to Pitching Performance
Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star, is facing a noticeable hitting slump despite maintaining his pitching responsibilities. Recently, he showcased his hitting prowess with an impressive on-field batting practice session at Dodger Stadium, his first since joining the team two years ago. However, his performance during the postseason has raised concerns.
Postseason Performance Challenges
Ohtani’s struggles at the plate have been significant, particularly in the National League Championship Series (NLCS). Since the wild-card round, he has managed only two hits in 25 at-bats, resulting in 12 strikeouts. A much-needed RBI single in Game 2 ended a challenging 15 at-bat hitless streak, marking the second-longest of his career.
Assessing the Impact of Two-Way Play
Despite the challenges, Ohtani insists that his dual role as a pitcher and hitter is not affecting his batting performance. He stated, “I don’t necessarily think that the pitching has affected my hitting performance.” He emphasized that he focuses on what he can control and views his hitting techniques as a continuous improvement process.
Matchup Against Left-Handed Pitchers
Strategically, opposing teams have targeted Ohtani with left-handed pitchers. In the postseason, 22 of his 40 plate appearances have come against them, yielding only three times on base. During the NLCS, he faced lefties such as Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo, where he went hitless over 13 at-bats.
- Against left-handed pitchers in the playoffs: 22 at-bats
- On-base appearances: 3 times
- Overall postseason performance: 2-for-25 with 12 strikeouts
Dodgers’ Manager Insights
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Ohtani’s at-bats despite his struggles, highlighting his ability to control the strike zone and stay aggressive when opportunities arise. Roberts mentioned Ohtani’s positive moments in Milwaukee, indicating that his approach remains sound despite limited success.
Future Outlook
As the postseason progresses, the Dodgers are strategically managing Ohtani’s pitching schedule. He is currently slated to pitch in Game 4 of the NLCS, with the team’s dynamics influencing this decision as they seek to optimize their pitching lineup. Ohtani, known for his exceptional abilities, continues to strive for improvement at the plate, asserting that he maintains quality at-bats throughout the season.
With his impressive track record, fans and analysts alike are keen to see if Ohtani can bounce back from this slump as the playoffs continue.
