The Los Angeles Dodgers’ offensive production in the postseason has been a mixed bag so far, with Shohei Ohtani perhaps best embodying that.
The two-way star has gone hitless in 19 at-bats with the bases empty. In comparison, he has recorded six in eight at-bats with at least one runner on base.
Amid some inconsistencies, manager Dave Roberts said he isn’t planning to make any changes to the top of the Dodgers lineup. “No, there isn’t,” Roberts answered when asked if has given consideration to making any changes.
“I just think that early on it’s just funny how things change where there was a lot of concern about Shohei not being able to get hits with the runners in scoring position. And now we’re all trying to find ways to get guys on base so he can hit, right? I kind of find that comical, a little bit.
“I don’t think that anyone can predict who is going to get on base in Game 3 or Game 4. So I feel that kind of there’s some tweaks that I do make as far as Teo, Freddie, the five, six, maybe the seven, eight, nine.
“But to think that I’m going to move Shohei to the four or the three, that’s just not going to happen.”
Some have argued that Ohtani would be more valuable in the No. 3 or 4 spot of the Dodgers lineup because of his success with runners on base. However, Roberts thinks it is best to keep Ohtani in the leadoff spot as he will receive the most at-bats of any player.
“It’s how you construct a lineup given who you have in your lineup. Because conversely, you hit them third or fourth, and then in that ninth inning he doesn’t get that last at-bat and the whole world is saying, ‘God, why didn’t he hit earlier?'” Roberts said.
“We all know the world would have changed. But those are things that I think we have complete solace in knowing that giving our best hitter five cracks to be instant offense and also believing that the guys in the bottom of the order can create some havoc and get on base.
“I thought we did that really well in Game 1 of the CS. So just give him opportunities. I can’t predict the game, but I feel good about what I can predict, is Shohei hitting one and getting the most of the at-bats from our offense.”
Shohei Ohtani keeping ‘same approach’
In light of his postseason splits, Ohtani said he is not making any changes to his approach. “Regardless of however they are pitching to me, my plan is to stay with the same approach, as much as possible and not really be too focused on how they attack me,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton.
“In terms of the lineup, that is not my job to consider. I’m going to be as flexible as possible regardless of any situation or anywhere in the lineup that I am placed in.”
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