"When Shohei Ohtani was asked about his woeful performance at the plate in the Dodgers ' National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies last week, he first gave credit to the opposition. Then, after a series that saw the Phillies counter him with one left-handed pitcher after the next, was also quick to point out that he wasn't alone. "It was pretty difficult for left-handed hitters," Ohtani said in Japanese amid the Dodgers' clubhouse celebration following their Game 4 victory. "This was also the case for Freddie [Freeman].""
"And as a team, the Dodgers hit just .199 with 41 strikeouts in the four-game series. However, no one's struggles were as pronounced as Ohtani's - the soon-to-be four-time MVP winner, who in the NLDS looked like anything but. Ohtani struck out in each of his first four at-bats in Game 1. He didn't get his first hit until grounding an RBI single through the infield in the seventh inning of Game 2."
Shohei Ohtani went 1-for-18 with nine strikeouts in the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, struggling with swing decisions and pitch selection. He chased pitches outside the zone and was passive on strikes, especially when facing left-handed pitchers who crowded him inside. The Phillies frequently used southpaws, reducing the effectiveness of Dodgers left-handed hitters such as Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy. The Dodgers collectively hit .199 with 41 strikeouts across four games. Manager Dave Roberts said at-bat quality must improve and warned that the team cannot win a championship with such performances.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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