Dodgers‘ Ohtani Needs Offensive Reset Ahead of NLCS Matchup with Brewers
MILWAUKEE – los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Shohei Ohtani requires an offensive “recalibration” following a largely unproductive NLDS performance against the Philadelphia Phillies. Ohtani struggled at the plate, going 3-for-15 with limited impact, while the phillies effectively exploited vulnerabilities in his swing decisions. The Dodgers face the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the NLCS on Monday.
Roberts observed Ohtani appeared “in between a little bit,” stating after Game 3, “But the swing decisions are just not where they need to be right now.” The issues, Roberts explained Saturday, originated with pitching matchups and developed into detrimental habits, allowing the Phillies to dictate the game plan.
Ohtani’s frist at-bat against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez exemplified the problem. He swung and missed at three consecutive pitches – a first-pitch sinker followed by two changeups – and struck out. Sánchez’s changeup proved notably challenging; Ohtani swung and missed 17 times in 34 swings against left-handed changeups during the regular season, including eight from Sánchez and 11 overall from Phillies pitchers.
The Phillies also capitalized on a trend observed by Roberts: shorter at-bats on days Ohtani pitches. During the regular season,Ohtani hit .222 (12-for-54) with four home runs in 14 games he started on the mound. He was hitless in four at-bats while pitching six innings in Game 1 of the NLDS. “He’s probably trying to conserve energy, not trying to get into at-bats,” Roberts said. “It hasn’t been good when he’s pitched. I do think that’s part of it. We’ve got to think through this and come up with a better game plan.”
The Dodgers are drawing parallels to Ohtani’s 2023 postseason experience. He struggled in the 2023 NLDS against the San Diego Padres, hitting 4-for-20, but rebounded in the NLCS against the New York Mets, batting .364 (8-for-22) with two home runs and a 1.185 OPS.
Roberts anticipates opponents will continue to feature left-handed pitching against Ohtani. “Certainly, whatever opponent we face, they’re gonna try to put as many lefties on Shohei,” he said. “But hoping that he can do a little self-reflecting on that series. And how aggressive he was outside of the strike zone, passive in the zone – just the at-bat quality needs to get better.” He added, “We’re counting on a recalibration, getting back into the strike zone and understanding when he faces left-handed pitching what they’re gonna try to do.”
