Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers' two-way superstar, is facing a challenging situation. Despite his team's success in the playoffs, Ohtani's bat has gone cold, leaving many fans and experts wondering about the cause. But here's the twist: Ohtani insists that his pitching duties aren't to blame for his hitting slump.
Let's dive into this intriguing narrative.
Ohtani's entrance song, "Feeling Good," echoed through Dodger Stadium, setting the stage for a rare on-field batting practice session. The moment was a statement, a sign of Ohtani's determination to break out of his hitting slump. Since the wild-card round, Ohtani's batting average has dipped, with just two hits in 25 at-bats and a 15-at-bat hitless streak, the second-longest of his career.
Speaking ahead of his workout, Ohtani addressed the issue, denying that his two-way role in the postseason has impacted his hitting. "I don't think pitching has affected my hitting performance," he said through an interpreter. "On the pitching side, I feel confident in my ability to control what I can. As for hitting, my stance and mechanics are a work in progress, but I don't believe they're the issue."
Ohtani's words are intriguing, especially considering his impressive performance in the wild-card round, where he homered twice against the Cincinnati Reds. However, he faced a formidable challenge from the Philadelphia Phillies' left-handed starting pitchers, going hitless in 13 at-bats. The Milwaukee Brewers adopted a similar strategy, deploying their best left-handed relievers against Ohtani. Despite this, Ohtani managed to draw walks and even singled off Aaron Ashby in Game 1 of the NLCS.
Of Ohtani's 40 plate appearances in these playoffs, 22 have been against left-handed pitchers, and he's only reached base three times. Ohtani acknowledges the strategic advantage his opponents have, but he remains focused on improving his at-bats.
"I understand their strategy, and I'm working hard to put up better at-bats," Ohtani said. "That's my main focus."
Ohtani's manager, Dave Roberts, defended Ohtani's at-bats in Milwaukee, calling them "fantastic," even though Ohtani only had one hit in seven at-bats. Roberts praised Ohtani's ability to control the strike zone and stay aggressive.
"He's doing all the right things," Roberts said. "The results will come."
Ohtani's performance in the 2024 season, where he charted the 50/50 club, and his continued impact as an offensive player in 2025, speak to his ability to excel in both roles. However, when asked about the challenges of balancing his two-way role, Ohtani remained steadfast in his belief that it hasn't affected his hitting.
"I know it might sound repetitive, but I truly believe it hasn't impacted my hitting," Ohtani said. "I had a good season offensively, and I feel like I had quality at-bats throughout. It's a fine line, but I stand by my answer."
The debate over the cause of Ohtani's hitting slump continues, with some attributing it to the mental and physical demands of his two-way role. But Ohtani remains confident in his ability to excel in both aspects of the game.
What do you think? Is Ohtani's two-way role affecting his hitting, or is it simply a slump that every player experiences? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
