LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani’s recent struggles at the plate have raised questions about his impact for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they pursue a third consecutive World Series championship, but the team remains confident in his ability to rebound. On Wednesday, Ohtani contributed to the Dodgers’ 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 4 of the National League Division Series, helping secure the series win and advance Los Angeles to the NL Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers starting Sunday in Milwaukee.
Ohtani, who has battled injuries to his biceps, knee, and neck throughout the season, showed signs of regained health and aggression on the bases, an area he had largely set aside while maintaining his two-way player role. In the second inning of Game 4, Ohtani drew a walk off Braves starter Tyler Mahle, stole second base, advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Sean Murphy, and later scored on a fielding error by shortstop Mauricio Dubón. This sequence provided the Dodgers’ first run and underscored Ohtani’s willingness to contribute despite ongoing offensive difficulties.
The 29-year-old Japanese star has struggled at the plate since August, hitting just .154 against Atlanta and failing to deliver extra-base hits during the division series. His most recent home run came nearly two months ago on August 18, and his slugging percentage in the final 18 games of the regular season was a low .214. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has adjusted Ohtani’s position in the batting order to reflect his recent performance, moving him down to the cleanup spot and placing first baseman Freddie Freeman second behind Mookie Betts, who had held Ohtani’s former spot.
Despite these adjustments and a period of offensive funk, Dodgers officials and scouts believe Ohtani remains a potent threat once he regains his rhythm. Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations, described Ohtani as “the most talented player who has ever played this game,” emphasizing that some bad habits appeared over the summer but expressing strong confidence in the player’s eventual resurgence.
Roberts noted that Ohtani approached his lineup demotion with understanding, even suggesting he had planned to request a similar change himself. “It’s not what we all expect, what he expects from himself,” Roberts said about Ohtani’s recent offensive performance but added, “I do feel that the talent, the care; it’s going to happen.”
Ohtani’s performance at the plate in Game 4 was mixed—after his productive first plate appearance, he struck out twice and grounded out in subsequent at-bats, striking out a total of four times in the series. Nonetheless, his baseline speed and base-running aggression delivered a valuable spark during the game.
Scouts tracking the Dodgers this postseason acknowledge that while Ohtani’s mechanics and timing remain off, he continues to represent a threat and is expected to overcome his slump. Friedman's recounting of Ohtani’s 2021 debut season illustrates the player’s capacity to break through even after periods of poor performance, recalling how Ohtani ended that season with a historic surge of power and speed.
The Dodgers remain committed to supporting Ohtani as he regains his form, confident that his offensive production will improve as the team advances in the postseason. “At some point, things are going to click back for him,” Friedman said. “And we’re going to be the beneficiaries.”