In the playoffs, the Los Angeles Dodgers displayed impressive competitive prowess, successfully overcoming the Reds and the Phillies in the wild card race, and then clinching back-to-back victories against the Brewers in the first two games, moving closer to the World Series. However, the team’s star player, Shohei Ohtani, has recently been struggling, with a rising swing-and-miss rate, causing deep concern among fans. This marks the first significant challenge he has faced since 2020, prompting a curiosity to explore the reasons behind this dip in form.
The Dodgers have been on an unstoppable roll in this season’s playoffs, currently boasting a winning streak on the road. Out of the eight games played, they’ve only stumbled once against the Phillies, while triumphing in every other matchup. However, concerns loom over Shohei Ohtani’s performance since the division series; he’s managed only 2 hits in 25 at-bats, with 12 strikeouts and numerous intentional walks, leaving fans questioning the form of this two-way superstar.
In the first game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Ohtani faced Cristopher Sánchez and struck out three consecutive times, making him the only 4K high definition in the matchup with Matt Strahm. In the second game, despite his attempts to adjust to Jesús Luzardo’s changeup, his overall hitting performance showed no signs of improvement, revealing a clear lack of offensive strength.
According to the assessment by analyst from MLB Network, the Philadelphia Phillies have primarily adopted a strategy of attacking the inner part of the strike zone when facing Shohei Ohtani, which has had a significant impact on him. While the inner zone is his sweet spot for power hitting, the pitchers’ precise control and changes in speed have disrupted his rhythm. The data referenced in the analysis from The angle of the arm swing is 38 degrees. indicates that most of the pitcher angles faced by Ohtani are below this condition, which not only affects his performance but also has repercussions for other players like Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman.
Although the pitchers’ respect for Ohtani prevented him from facing intense pressure directly, it seems his batting abilities weren’t quite as remarkable. In the games against the pitchers, Ohtani managed only one hit, and his overall performance across three games fell short of expectations. This sparked inquiries from reporters about his condition and the underlying reasons, highlighting that even under pressure, he could still exert some influence on the opposing team.
Overall, the pitcher rotation strategy chosen by the Brewers is completely different from the Phillies’ strong dominance, which may be a key factor. Continuing to observe Ohtani’s performance in the postseason and the strategies surrounding his pitching will be a focal point worth watching in the future.
