- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,128,748
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Los Angeles Dodgers fans who’ve been concerned about superstar Shohei Ohtani’s relative slump at the plate can lay those worries to rest. Teammates current and former say the slugger with back-to-back 50 home run seasons is doing just fine.
On a recent episode of his podcast “On Base With Mookie Betts,” the shortstop sat down with Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell, and naturally, the conversation turned to the Angel-turned-Dodger Ohtani.
“If he doesn’t get a hit or … maybe has a couple bad games, it’s like, ‘What’s wrong with Shohei?’” Betts said. “Well, I mean he did just [pitch] seven innings, you know, two hits. He does have a 0.7 ERA. You forget all the other ways that he really affects the game.”
Is Ohtani the pitcher overshadowing Ohtani the hitter?
Betts exaggerated a bit, but not much. In seven starts on the mound, Ohtani has a 3-2 record, 0.82 ERA and 50 strikeouts against 25 hits and 11 walks.
You must be registered for see images attach
Jun 2, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) is greeted at the plate by designated hitter player Shohei Ohtani (17) of the after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
Those statistics lend themselves to Cy Young consideration, which of course is Ohtani’s goal this season. But sometimes, thsoe excellent pitching numbers can somehow obscure the other talents of the player who’s won four MVP awards in the past five seasons. He came in second place in MVP voting that one year he missed out.
“Think about that. He pitched, he would lead off, work the count just like you would if you were any other position player, and then go out and throw seven innings with three hits and no runs and we expected it. I had to like wake myself,” Adell said. “I’m like, ‘Hey, like this is ridiculous.’ Sitting on the bench, expecting a guy to go and do this in a major league game is insane. His tenacity and focus when it comes to getting it done, he’s been just a force.”
Betts took that opportunity to jab Adell a bit over the Angels’ loss, which most assuredly has been the Dodgers’ gain.
“I’m glad he’s on our team,” Betts deadpanned. “You had your chance. You had him.”
Ohtani proves Betts right
It’s hard to say if Ohtani heard Betts’ podcast before the Tuesday night game against the Padres, but he played like he did.
He hit a leadoff double and then was soon knocked in by a Freddie Freeman home run.
So is the slump over? It’s hard to say for sure, but the smart money is on an Ohtani resurgence.
Continue reading...
