Shohei Ohtani has produced plenty of times so far in his first postseason, but with that has come an unusual trend of being hitless when the bases are empty.
That proved problematic in Game 2 of the National League Championship series, as Ohtani and the Dodgers failed to overcome an early deficit in an eventual 7-3 loss.
The Dodgers were held to just five hits, but still had multiple scoring opportunities due to the Mets pitching staff issuing eight walks.
Ohtani reached base twice via walk but otherwise struggled against Sean Manaea as he went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts. “I thought he didn’t look comfortable versus Manaea,” manager Dave Roberts said after the game.
“The heater is away. You can see he was just kind of trying to keep the ball away from Shohei. That’s what they’re going to do. Shohei is very good with the ball close to him. So they’re just going to stay away, hard away.
“If it’s spin, it’s going to be away. Just didn’t feel comfortable. And then after that I thought the righties that came in, they weren’t about to give into him. At least he took his walks.”
Ohtani is now 0-for-19 with the bases empty this postseason. With runners on base, he has recorded six hits in eight at-bats.
“Not really,” Roberts answered when asked if he has given any consideration to moving Ohtani out of the leadoff spot.
“I think that, as far as on the offensive side, I think we’ve been pretty good offensively. I think the guys at the bottom have been doing a nice job of getting on base. And as far as moving him down, I just don’t want to be too reactive. I don’t really see the benefit.
“We’ve got to just make sure that our guys are just still swinging the bat well. And quite frankly, I want Shohei to get five at-bats a game. I think he’s our best hitter, and I want him up there five times.”
Shohei Ohtani sticking to ‘approach’
In light of Ohtani’s postseason splits have come questions opposing teams pitching to him differently in those scenarios and if he should be moved out of the leadoff spot of the Dodgers lineup.
“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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