Shohei Ohtani Reflects on Recent Struggles
SAN FRANCISCO – He described the day as being pretty standard for this time of the season—not particularly good or bad.
When discussing his current hitting form, Shohei Ohtani drew on his past experiences, mentioning a sense of calm in the face of difficulties.
Historically, June has been a standout month for him over his eight years in Major League Baseball. He noted that his strongest performance last year was in May.
He reiterated in Japanese, “The sooner that happens, the better.” This sentiment certainly feels more critical given the current state of the team.
The Dodgers faced a 3-0 loss against the Giants on Wednesday night, marking their fourth defeat in the last five games.
While Ohtani is arguably the best pitcher in the league at the moment, what the Dodgers truly need is for him to start hitting—and quickly.
As the team’s highest-paid player, there’s increased pressure on him, especially with Andy Pages slowing down after an impressive start and Dalton Rushing also not performing as expected.
Ohtani’s last home run was on April 12, and since then, his batting average has dipped to .212 with just one RBI.
In his last game, he went hitless in four at-bats, bringing an end to the Dodgers’ remarkable 53-game on-base streak, the longest since the franchise relocated to Los Angeles in 1958.
“For a leadoff hitter, getting on base is crucial,” Ohtani said. “I think my numbers will improve as I get more comfortable standing in the batter’s box. But, honestly, that sense of comfort is still a bit lacking.”
His slump has been exacerbated by Kyle Tucker’s own slow start, who is batting behind him.
The Dodgers have invested a staggering $940 million in both Ohtani and Tucker, yet collectively, they have only managed 14 hits over the past nine games, scoring just once in the first two of their three-game series against the Giants.
“It’s undeniably a tough spot,” said manager Dave Roberts. “Both are exceptional players, but when you rely on them for so many at-bats, it’s easy for that stress to mount.”
More challenges are looming, as closer Edwin Diaz underwent elbow surgery, expected to keep him off the field until after the All-Star break. His absence will certainly put added pressure on the offense to ramp up their scoring.
All of this puts Ohtani at the center of attention.
“I see the aggressiveness in Shohei, but sometimes he might get too far into his head,” Roberts observed. “It’s like he’s trying to ensure he stays focused on the ball, and then he faces a fastball and seems caught off guard.”
Regarding Tucker, Roberts remarked, “He’s clearly frustrated and trying to find his groove. There’s extra work involved, but right now… I just don’t have a clear answer for what’s going wrong.”
On the mound, Ohtani continued to shine, allowing no runs over six innings against the Giants while lowering his ERA to an impressive 0.38. He even threw several pitches exceeding 100 mph and struck out seven batters.
Yet, despite facing a Giants pitcher with a 5.26 ERA, the Dodgers could only manage four hits overall, failing to convert that pitching strength into runs.
“This isn’t where I want to be,” Ohtani expressed. “I’m not at my best right now… but it’s part of those early-season challenges.”
While discussing himself and the team’s trajectory, Ohtani shared insights about the length of the baseball season.
He expressed confidence that there would come a time when the Dodgers’ bullpen wouldn’t allow a single run again, stating he believed such a day would arrive.
Or maybe, as Roberts hinted, Ohtani could hit lower in the lineup during games he pitches if that’s what the team requires.
He even reflected on the likelihood that his hitting would improve in time.
“The season isn’t over today,” he asserted in Japanese.
And, he’s not wrong about that.
With 24 games left in the season, Ohtani’s resurgence as a hitter could be vital for the Dodgers’ postseason hopes. If he can recapture his elite batting form soon, it could streamline the challenging path ahead for the team.
