The Los Angeles Dodgers figured to feel the effects of losing Mookie Betts to a fractured left hand, but Shohei Ohtani has done everything within his power to keep the leadoff spot of their lineup plenty productive.
In six games since taking over at the top of the Dodgers’ batting order, Ohtani is 11-for-24 with three doubles, four home runs, 11 RBI and six walks. Also part of Ohtani’s hot hitting is a streak of homering in three consecutive games.
The Dodgers are 4-2 during his time as leadoff hitter thus far and likely would have picked up a fifth win if not for the rest of the offense going historically silent in the opener of the Freeway Series.
After the 29-year-old hit yet another majestic home run at Dodger Stadium, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked he believes Ohtani’s recent level of play is unmatched, per Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group:
“I think where he’s at right now, you can just see that if the ball is in his hitting zone it’s going to be hit hard somewhere,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Obviously he’s very comfortable. We’re managing him as far as the health. He takes real good care of himself. Shoot, leading the league in hitting, leading the league in home runs, he’s right there in runs driven in – it’s pretty special. The last few weeks there just hasn’t been a player better.”
Heading into the Dodgers’ off day on Sunday, Ohtani’s six home runs since June 16 lead the Majors. He’s additionally tied a Los Angeles Dodgers franchise record with seven consecutive games of at least one run scored and one RBI. It last had been accomplished by Reggie Smith in 1978.
Ohtani likely is going to be named National League Player of the Week for a second time this season.
Shohei Ohtani’s home runs
Ohtani’s home run on Saturday night traveled 459 feet, which is the second-longest hit at Dodger Stadium this season. Ohtani has already tied or set multiple Dodgers records for home runs at Dodger Stadium during the Statcast Era (since 2015), and is responsible for eight of the 10 longest hit in the ballpark this year.
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