Dave Roberts addresses possible Shohei Ohtani lineup move

October 16, 2024

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Feb 27, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) takes the field prior to the game against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Shohei Ohtani’s playoff performance includes a statistical split so bizarre, manager Dave Roberts is addressing whether it might prompt a change in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ batting order.

While Ohtani has been outstanding in the playoffs, one particular stat shows that he has been at his best with runners in scoring position. The Dodgers DH has gone 6-for-8 with a home run and three walks with runners on base, and 4-for-5 with runners in scoring position. In contrast, Ohtani of 0-for-19 with 10 strikeouts in the postseason when batting with the bases empty.

Should the Dodgers consider moving Ohtani out of the leadoff spot to try to maximize his opportunities with runners on based on those numbers? Roberts more or less laughed off the suggestion on Tuesday, pointing out that previously there had been concerns about the opposite problem.

“No, there isn’t,” Roberts said, via Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. “I just think that it’s just funny how things change, where early on there was a lot of concern about Shohei not being able to get hits with the runners in scoring position, and now we’re all trying to find ways that — we have to get guys on base so he can hit, right? I kind of find that comical, a little bit.”

Needless to say, these are small sample sizes, though Ohtani’s numbers with runners on are undoubtedly amazing. Whether this is a repeatable skill or just some unusual variance is also a fair question.

One thing Roberts is undoubtedly keeping in mind is that it is a lot harder for opponents to pitch around Ohtani with the likes of Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman batting behind him instead of ahead of him. The Dodgers have made it pretty clear they don’t care what outsiders think, so Ohtani evidently won’t be moved to a different spot anytime soon.