Los Angeles Dodgers celebrity Shohei Ohtani has made historical past on the plate in his debut season with the franchise — which can possible lead to him profitable the 2024 Nationwide League MVP Award regardless of being a delegated hitter. Nonetheless, if there was one flaw in his offensive method this season, it has been with runners in scoring place, and the rationale he has given for these relative struggles is fascinating.
“Ohtani, early on this season, was saying to the hitting coaches, ‘I discover myself anytime the bases are loaded or there is a runner in scoring place, making an attempt too onerous as a result of I am skilled to really feel like that is going to be our solely shot’ as a result of that was the state of affairs for six years of his profession in Anaheim [with the Los Angeles Angels],” FOX Sports activities and Dodgers lead play-by-by play announcer Joe Davis stated about Ohtani through the group’s Wednesday night time victory over the NL West rival San Diego Padres.
“And, so, he is needed to rewire himself to not attempt to win the sport each time he will get an at-bat with a runner in scoring place, not attempt to be the hero.”
Ohtani spent the primary six seasons of his MLB profession with the Angels (2018-23). In that point, he received two American League MVPs, however the Angels by no means made the playoffs and even had a profitable season.
Ohtani’s slash line with runners in scoring place in his first yr with the Dodgers is .270/.379/.489 — league-average numbers however a notable dip from his in any other case historic tempo throughout the board. They’re additionally beneath his profession averages with runners in scoring place, the place he boasts a .291/.418/.604 slash line.
Ohtani has totaled an NL-high 53 house runs, 125 RBIs and 56 stolen bases this season, whereas boasting a .303/.386/.642 slash line. He lately turned the primary participant in MLB historical past to put up a 50-50 season (50 house runs, 50 stolen bases).
As for the Dodgers’ Wednesday night time win over the Padres, Ohtani went 2 for 3 with two RBIs, together with an RBI single for the eventual game-winning run within the sixth inning. The win improved the Dodgers to 94-64, good for a three-game lead on the Padres for first place within the NL West and placing them a half-game up on the Philadelphia Phillies for the perfect report within the NL forward of Thursday night time.
In the meantime, the Angels are 63-95, with celebrity outfielder Mike Trout coming off one other injury-riddled season, being restricted to 29 video games on account of a torn meniscus; Trout has performed in not more than 82 video games in 4 of the previous 5 seasons on account of damage.
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