Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Dodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Dodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Shohei Ohtani Focusing On Pitch Selection
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Shohei Ohtani Focusing On Pitch Selection

Scott Geirman
October 17, 2024
4 Min Read
Shohei Ohtani, 2024 NLCS
Oct 16, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a three run home run against the New York Mets in the eighth inning during game three of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
SHARE

Shohei Ohtani played a key part in the Los Angeles Dodgers finishing with the best record in baseball and now is looking to help lead the team back to the World Series.

Ohtani’s first postseason experience has included a continued solid level of production, but also an uncharacteristic jump in strikeouts have occurred amid peculiar struggles with the bases empty.

“Rather than my strike zone management, I’m more concerned when I swing at pitches,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton when asked about chasing out of the zone.

“Whether that’s a foul or a pop fly. That’s something that I’m more focused on rather than the actual strike zone management.”

Against the San Diego Padres, a shift in the way opposing pitchers attacked Ohtani was evident. They began to pepper the outer part of the strike zone, rather than try to jam him inside.

Ohtani’s strikeout rate in the regular season was a career-low 22.2%, but in eight postseason games, it has climbed to a 35.1% across 37 plate appearances.

“I do feel OK at the plate,” Ohtani added. “I do feel like I should recall back to the times when I feel good and perhaps incorporate that into it.”

After Game 2 of the NLCS, Ohtani’s approach with nobody on base is a clear contrast to his usual, patient, but explosive nature. It caught a few with the Dodgers off guard in how it’s spanned through a number of games.

“I was surprised that he expanded versus (Yu) Darvish,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “(Tanner) Scott, it’s nitrous coming at you with the slider. That’s just a tough at-bat for any left-hander. Manaea, I just can’t imagine the ball coming from first base at you and then trying to hit him.

“So I just don’t see that. I just think that that’s kind of an outlier. But outside of that, for me, honestly the Darvish at-bats was a little bit for me. But, again, that’s something you’re facing your childhood idol. I don’t know how much that comes into play. I have no idea.”

What can Dodgers do to maximize Shohei Ohtani?

There’s been some talk about moving Ohtani down in the lineup because of his torrid stretch of production with runners in scoring position. However, that idea hasn’t had much weight behind it at this point in the year and the Dodgers believe this stretch could just be a blip.

The lower part of the batting order, mainly the eighth and ninth slots, could do a much better job of getting on base to manufacture those opportunities for Ohtani.

That came about in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, and Ohtani broke it open with a three-run homer late.

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:2024 NLCSLos Angeles DodgersShohei Ohtani
ByScott Geirman
Follow:
Scott Geirman is a journalist from Simi Valley, California, currently working as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and Angels Nation. After working as the Sports Editor for the Moorpark College newspaper, he graduated from Cal State University, Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in broadcast journalism with an emphasis in political science. Scott has a passion for reading, writing, baseball, family, Mookie Betts, and being a father to his beautiful daughter. He is currently pursuing his career in the sports media industry.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Victor Gonzalez, 2020 NLCS
Dodgers NewsFeaturedInjured List

Dodgers Activate Victor Gonzalez Off Injured List; DJ Peters Optioned

April 28, 2021
May 18, 2021
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Max Muncy Downplays Notion That He Has Performed At All-Star Level

July 3, 2018
July 3, 2018
Matt Beaty, 2021 Spring Training
Dodgers NewsFeaturedSpring Training

Dodgers Spring Training: Matt Beaty Option To Give Mookie Betts Rest

March 11, 2021
March 11, 2021
Max Scherzer, 2021 All-Star Game
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Max Scherzer Likely To Make Dodgers Debut Against Astros

July 31, 2021
July 31, 2021

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어