Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted that Shohei Ohtani frequently offered at pitches resembling balls during his postseason at-bats.
The Dodgers lost 2 to 3 to the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the National League Division Series on October 4 (local time), leaving the series tied at 1 win and 1 loss.
Although Ohtani recorded a hit, what Manager Roberts considered more important than a single batting result was the process of competing within the strike zone.
3-Line Summary
1. Manager Roberts pointed out Ohtani’s plate discipline
2. Ohtani went 1-for-4
3. Selecting pitches, rather than getting hits, is the task
1-for-4 in a 2-to-3 Loss
The Dodgers lost 2 to 3 to the Braves in Game 2 of the Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 4. Starting pitcher Blake Snell was shaky from the outset, and although the Dodgers tied the game with Freddie Freeman’s solo home run, they surrendered the lead again on a wild pitch in the 5th inning and a run-scoring hit in the 7th inning. Max Muncy hit a solo home run in the 9th inning, but the comeback stopped at one run.
Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers designated hitter) started in the 2nd spot in the batting order and recorded 1 hit in 4 at-bats and 2 strikeouts. With 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd in the 3rd inning, he flew out, and in the 5th inning, he extended the opportunity with a single to left. The Dodgers finished their two home games with 1 win and 1 loss.
The Problem Roberts Saw Was Pitches Outside the Zone
After the game, Manager Roberts spoke about Ohtani’s at-bats, saying, in essence, that “as you can see, there were many instances of him offering at balls.” His assessment was that chasing pitches outside the strike zone makes it difficult to produce a good swing, and that this was ultimately the key issue.
This also means that it is difficult to judge the quality of an at-bat based solely on whether a hit was recorded. Ohtani had a hit that day, but he struck out in his first and fourth at-bats, and in the pivotal opportunity in the 3rd inning, he reacted to a high pitch and flew out. The manager’s comment was not a denial of his performance in one game, but rather a diagnosis that selecting pitches is the starting point for recovery.
The Playing Plan and Game Result Must Be Kept Separate
Manager Roberts stated that Ohtani would also play in Game 3 at that time and that he hoped Ohtani would produce good results through repeated plate appearances. This was a statement conveying the manager’s plan and expectations before the game, and did not refer to the result of the subsequent game.
The Dodgers’ problem revealed in Game 2 was that both their hitting in scoring opportunities and the pitching staff’s command faltered. Amid that, the standard Manager Roberts directly presented to Ohtani was clear. Before the effectiveness of fastballs or breaking pitches, Ohtani must regain at-bats in which he distinguishes between pitches inside the strike zone and those outside it.
References
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