The Los Angeles Dodgers moved past the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series. Still, most headlines focused on Shohei Ohtani’s rough patch at the plate.
Despite his superstar reputation and that colossal $700 million contract, Ohtani picked up just one hit in 18 at-bats. He struck out nine times—painful to watch, honestly.
Manager Dave Roberts didn’t sugarcoat things. He pointed out Ohtani’s strike-zone discipline issues and how tough it is to face elite left-handed pitching, especially when you’re slumping.
Now, as the Dodgers get ready for the NLCS, everyone’s wondering: Can Ohtani bounce back and deliver the performance they desperately need?
Ohtani’s Offensive Struggles in the NLDS
Shohei Ohtani’s postseason at-bats looked off from the start. He mistimed swings, chased pitches outside the zone, and just couldn’t take advantage of the ones he could’ve handled.
Philadelphia kept throwing left-handed starters at him. Ohtani never found his groove, ending up 1-for-18 at the plate—pretty shocking for a hitter with his reputation.
His struggles felt even bigger because he’s usually so disciplined and dangerous. It was just weird to see him look so lost.
Impact of Philadelphia’s Left-Handed Pitching
The Phillies leaned hard on their left-handers, and that move really paid off. The Dodgers’ lefty-heavy lineup just couldn’t get going.
Both Ohtani and Freddie Freeman got neutralized. Freeman managed only three hits in 15 at-bats.
Max Muncy, another lefty slugger, barely got chances against that endless parade of southpaws.
Across those four games, the Dodgers as a team hit just .199 and struck out 41 times. Philadelphia really knew how to exploit that matchup.
Manager Dave Roberts’ Post-Series Assessment
Dave Roberts didn’t hold back. He said Ohtani’s approach at the plate needed work—plain and simple.
Roberts thought Ohtani got way too aggressive with pitches outside the strike zone. At the same time, he let too many good ones go by without swinging.
Pitchers caught on fast and took full advantage of those habits.
The Role of Fatigue in Ohtani’s Performance
Roberts also brought up fatigue as a real factor. In Game 1, Ohtani struck out four times, often chasing tough inside pitches from Cristopher Sánchez.
Roberts suspects Ohtani’s two-way workload—hitting and pitching—might’ve left him rushed and unfocused, especially under playoff pressure.
That two-way talent is incredible, but it’s got to be exhausting in October. Even the most disciplined guys get tested.
Why the Dodgers Need Ohtani to Rebound
The Dodgers absolutely need production from their marquee player if they want a World Series title. Ohtani’s massive contract isn’t just about talent—it’s about delivering when it counts.
Roberts summed it up: the Dodgers “cannot win” if Ohtani keeps struggling like this. Hard to argue with that.
Adjustments for the NLCS
Looking forward, Roberts said he believes Ohtani can adjust. The plan is to sharpen strike-zone management and learn to stay aggressive without chasing.
They’ll need better strategies against left-handers too, since the NLCS will probably bring more of the same. Those adjustments could make all the difference.
Key Takeaways
The Dodgers edged out the Phillies. Ohtani’s quiet series really shows how postseason baseball demands more than just raw talent—it’s about making adjustments and bouncing back.
- Ohtani got only one hit in 18 at-bats during the NLDS.
- Philadelphia’s left-handed pitchers shut down the Dodgers’ offense.
- Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy had trouble with lefty starters too.
- Manager Dave Roberts wants Ohtani to tighten up his strike-zone discipline.
- Fatigue and rushed swings may have thrown Ohtani off his game.
With the NLCS on deck, Dodgers fans are probably wondering if Shohei Ohtani can snap out of his slump. Playoff baseball can flip on a single swing—if anyone can change the momentum for Los Angeles, it’s Ohtani.
Here is the source article for this story: Can Shohei Ohtani find it at the plate for NLCS? ‘At-bat quality needs to get better’
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