A slump and mounting injury concerns threaten to sideline Shohei Ohtani’s dual-threat dominance just as the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for a high-stakes postseason push.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are dealing with another concern involving Shohei Ohtani as his recent struggles at the plate continue.
Ohtani went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and a run scored Wednesday in an unusual performance for the reigning National League MVP.
A concerning slump
The difficult night extended a frustrating stretch for the superstar.
Ohtani is 5-for-39 (.128) in his last 10 games, with no home runs and no RBIs and just a double during that span.
After the Dodgers’ 8-6 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, manager Dave Roberts made it clear that Wednesday’s performance reflected a larger issue.
Roberts described Ohtani’s struggles as only the tip of the iceberg and acknowledged that a rest day could be considered.
According to Katie Woo from The Athletic, Roberts said Ohtani’s swings did not resemble the hitter everyone is accustomed to seeing.
The offensive concerns come while Ohtani’s pitching status remains uncertain.
He has not appeared on the mound since July 3 against the San Diego Padres because of lingering left knee and right biceps issues.
“I saw the same thing that everyone saw,” Roberts said. “Clearly the swings aren’t who he is.”
Roberts added Wednesday that there is a scenario in which Ohtani does not pitch again this season.
That possibility would represent a significant blow considering Ohtani is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 85.2 innings across 14 starts this season.
At the same time, Los Angeles must balance his value as a pitcher against the importance of having his bat healthy and productive for a postseason run.
The Dodgers have lost three of their last four games and need Ohtani to rediscover the form that makes him one of the most dangerous offensive players in MLB.
Ohtani’s value
Ohtani’s greatest strength as a hitter is his ability to change a game with one swing without becoming dependent on only one type of pitch or location.
His bat speed allows him to punish mistakes, while his strength gives him the ability to drive the ball even when he does not make perfect contact.
He also creates pressure because pitchers know they cannot afford to become predictable.
When Ohtani is seeing the ball well, he can stay disciplined enough to wait for something he can handle while still covering a wide area of the strike zone.
That combination makes extended slumps particularly noticeable because his normal level is so difficult to contain.
His experience should also help him navigate the current stretch.
Ohtani has dealt with adjustments, injuries and enormous expectations throughout his career.
The Dodgers do not need him to force his way out of the slump.
They need him healthy, balanced and comfortable enough to let his natural approach return.
With his pitching future uncertain, restoring that version of Ohtani at the plate becomes even more important.
With the postseason approaching, his ability to regain his timing and confidence could become critical for Dodgers lineup that depends heavily on his presence and production in the middle of the order.
