Dodgers Offense Surges Without Shohei Ohtani, Showing Playoff Resilience
Los Angeles Dodgers are scoring at a high clip in September, demonstrating an ability to generate runs even in the absence of their star player.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have found a potent offensive rhythm in September, scoring 97 runs in the first 17 games of the month and hitting 19 home runs over their last nine contests. This surge comes even as the team navigates the absence of star player Shohei Ohtani, who is currently on the 15-day injured list. The Dodgers' recent performance, including an 8-2 victory over the Giants on Friday where they hit five home runs, suggests they are beginning to resemble the formidable team they were expected to be.
This offensive resurgence without Ohtani is particularly significant as the Dodgers aim for a potential three-peat. While manager Dave Roberts has expressed optimism about Ohtani's recovery, the team's history with his injury status has led to skepticism. Previous assurances about Ohtani potentially pitching again this season or not needing to go on the injured list have not panned out, casting doubt on the reliability of updates regarding his health.
Mookie Betts has been a key driver of the offense, hitting .333 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs in his last 25 games. He hit two home runs in Friday's win. Other players contributing to the offensive output include Max Muncy, Kyle Tucker, and Will Smith, all of whom hit home runs against the Giants. Rookie designated hitter Josue De Paula, Ohtani's replacement, has also made an impact, driving in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning.
Roberts praised the team's improved at-bats and their collective effort to compensate for Ohtani's absence. "It’s a high-floor talent level. I just like the way we’re taking better team at-bats and making up for not having Shohei in there," Roberts said.
The Dodgers' average runs per game in September has increased to 5.71, up from 4.89 through August. Betts emphasized the importance of carrying this momentum into the postseason, stating, "We just gotta keep playing good ball and want to keep going through the end of the season. We don’t want any letups. We don’t want to try and turn anything on once the postseason starts. We just want to play good ball, and we want that to be our identity."
Other players on hot streaks include Kyle Tucker, batting .438 with five home runs and 11 RBIs in his last nine games, and Teoscar Hernandez, hitting .362 with three homers this month. De Paula has impressed with his plate discipline, posting an on-base percentage of .448 in his first eight major league games with more walks than strikeouts. Roberts has indicated De Paula is under consideration for the playoff roster, potentially serving as an insurance policy for Ohtani.
Despite Ohtani's eventual return, the Dodgers may not be able to rely on him to carry the offensive load as he did in previous postseasons. The team's current offensive depth suggests a more balanced attack might be feasible, a development that could prove crucial for their championship aspirations.