Shohei Ohtani's Slump Raises Concerns for Dodgers Ahead of Playoffs

Shohei Ohtani is set to play in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ regular-season finale, but his recent performance has raised concerns about his readiness for the upcoming playoffs. Ohtani, who recently returned from a 15-day stint on the injured list, has shown a noticeable decline in form.

In his two games at Oracle Park against the San Francisco Giants, Ohtani is 1-for-9 with five strikeouts. His only hit was a ground-ball single that barely eluded the Giants' infielder. In one recent at-bat, Ohtani did not swing at a pitch that was called a strike, a decision that home plate umpire Nick Mahrley confirmed was accurate.

Despite Ohtani's struggles, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated he does not believe the issues are health-related. "I don’t see any wincing," Roberts said, attributing Ohtani's slump to potential over-aggression at the plate, a tendency to chase pitches, or rustiness after his time on the injured list. "I thought there was just more chase today," Roberts noted. "I don’t know if he’s trying to get hits, find his swing, getting a little overanxious.”

However, the offensive dip has led to speculation about his physical condition, particularly given his history of arm issues. The Dodgers organization faces the challenge of ensuring Ohtani is healthy enough to perform through multiple playoff rounds, while also preparing for the possibility that he may not be at his best.

Ohtani is still expected to serve as the designated hitter for the Dodgers in the National League Division Series, which begins Oct. 3. His mere presence can be a factor, as demonstrated by the cautious approach taken by the San Diego Padres when pitching to him earlier in the week.

If the Dodgers advance, questions remain about Ohtani's effectiveness if his current slump continues. His performance in San Francisco has mirrored his struggles before he was placed on the injured list.

Roberts indicated that managing Ohtani's workload will be the priority in the days between the regular season and the playoffs, rather than focusing on swing adjustments. "Just manage his workload,” Roberts said. “I know Shohei is good about managing his work. He’s not going to overswing. He’s very well aware of what it’s going to take. I’m not too concerned about that.”

The Dodgers have other offensive contributors, including Mookie Betts, Andy Pages, Teoscar Hernandez, Kyle Tucker, and Kiké Hernández, who hit a game-winning home run on Saturday. This depth suggests the team could contend for a World Series even if Ohtani does not replicate his previous seasons' prolific home-run numbers.

In the games Ohtani played at Dodger Stadium before heading to San Francisco, his power seemed diminished, though he still reached base multiple times. Roberts expressed contentment with that level of production, stating, “All day long,” and added before the Giants series, “I’ll take this version of Shohei all the way through October and on every result.”

The team aims to salvage Ohtani's performance and ensure he is healthy for the postseason push.