Shohei Ohtani’s historic on-base streak came to an end at 53 games amid a recent skid at the plate. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star has been on a roll as a pitcher, but is hitting .172/.250/.241 with 11 strikeouts in his last seven games.
“I think he’s chasing a little too much down below for me, lot of pull grounders,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Hard to hit a ball in the air that’s at your knee caps and below. And so I think that if we can get him back up a little higher, raise his sights, and get to the big part of the field, I think he’ll be back to being Shohei.”
Ohtani has been chasing pitches at a higher rate this season, currently sitting at 32.4% heading into Saturday. That’s compared to a 26% chase rate last season.
Roberts doesn’t sense desperation from Ohtanis at-bats, but does believe there needs to be an adjustment in approach.
“I think so. I think so,” Roberts answered when asked if Ohtani was antsy at the plate. “Certainly not pressing. He doesn’t press. But I do think that there’s a little anxiousness to get things going. Absolutely.”
Ohtani has a tough assignment as he tries to break out of his slump against the Chicago Cubs, which have a top-10 pitching staff in baseball. It doesn’t get too much easier against the Miami Marlins, but the St. Louis Cardinals’ bottom-10 staff could help facilitate a spark in the batter’s box.
Shohei Ohtani wants to start new on-base streak
Ohtani, who resumed two-way duties by throwing six scoreless innings on the mound this past Wednesday, went 0-for-4 at the plate in that game. It was the first time he didn’t reach base safely since Aug. 24, 2025.
Ohtani finished tied with Shawn Green for the longest on-base streak in L.A. Dodgers history, but fell short of Duke Snider’s franchise record of 58 games.
“I’m focused, as a leadoff hitter, to get on base,” Ohtani said on SportsNet LA through interpreter Will Ireton. “As long as I feel good overall, then the result will follow. That hasn’t been the case. The season is not over. If I can start another streak, that would be great. The season is not over yet, so we’ll see how it goes.”
During his 53-game on-base streak, Ohtani collected 34 hits, 23 walks and four intentional walks. It was the longest on-base streak in MLB history by a Japanese-born player, which previously belonged to Ichiro Suzuki at 43 games.
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