Here’s a bold statement: Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers' two-way superstar, is in the midst of a hitting slump—and it’s not because of his pitching. But here’s where it gets controversial: Could the pressure of balancing both roles be subtly affecting his performance at the plate, even if he insists otherwise? Let’s dive in.
On a quiet Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, the familiar notes of Michael Bublé’s Feeling Good echoed through the air as Ohtani stepped onto the field for a rare on-field batting practice session. His teammates greeted him with a sarcastic round of applause, but what happened next was no joke. Ohtani unleashed a series of prodigious home runs, one of which ricocheted off the roof beyond the right-field bleachers. It was a reminder of his raw power—but also a stark contrast to his recent struggles at the plate.
And this is the part most people miss: Ohtani’s decision to take batting practice at Dodger Stadium for the first time in two years wasn’t just routine—it was a sign of urgency. Despite the Dodgers’ playoff success, Ohtani’s hitting has stalled. Since the wild-card round, he’s gone just 2-for-25 with 12 strikeouts. His seventh-inning RBI single in Game 2 of the NLCS snapped a 15 at-bat hitless streak, the second-longest of his career. So, what’s going on?
Ohtani himself denies that pitching has impacted his hitting. ‘I don’t necessarily think the pitching has affected my hitting performance,’ he said through an interpreter. ‘On the pitching side, I control what I can control. On the hitting side, it’s a constant work in progress.’ But is it really that simple? While he homered twice against the Cincinnati Reds in the wild-card round, he was completely shut down by the Philadelphia Phillies’ trio of left-handed starters, going 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts. The Milwaukee Brewers have followed a similar strategy, throwing their best lefty relievers at him whenever possible.
Here’s the kicker: Of Ohtani’s 40 playoff plate appearances, 22 have come against lefties—and he’s reached base just three times. ‘It makes sense strategically,’ Ohtani admitted. ‘I’m focused on putting up better-quality at-bats.’ But could this lefty dominance be more than just a strategic challenge? Is it possible that the physical and mental demands of pitching are taking a toll, even if he won’t admit it?
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts insists Ohtani’s at-bats have been ‘fantastic,’ pointing to his ability to control the strike zone and stay aggressive. Yet, the numbers tell a different story. In 2024, Ohtani joined the exclusive 50/50 club in his first season with the Dodgers, slashing .282/.392/.622 with 55 home runs and 20 stolen bases. But on the 14 days he pitched in 2025, his slash line dipped to .222/.323/.556. Coincidence? Or a subtle sign of fatigue?
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: If Ohtani’s pitching isn’t directly causing his hitting slump, why is he struggling more against lefties now than ever before? Is it purely strategic, or is there something deeper at play? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
One thing’s for sure: Ohtani’s journey as a two-way player remains one of baseball’s most fascinating stories. Whether he’s striking out or launching home runs, he’s constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. But as the playoffs continue, all eyes will be on whether he can break out of this slump—and whether his pitching truly has nothing to do with it.
