MLB Icons Debate Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers Struggles: Zero ‘Backup Plan’

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that pitcher, designated hitter Shohei Ohtani has been moved to the leadoff spot in Game 4 of the NLCS on Wednesday.

This comes as the Dodgers are on the verge of being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers. Prior to Game 3, LA shoved Ohtani down to sixth in the lineup, where he went 1-for-2 with a walk during their 6-2 loss.

Now, he’s back up to the front of the order and yet still struggling through lingering injuries. While Ohtani has been direct about wanting to play and feeling good enough to be in the leadoff position, professionals have their doubts.

On Thursday morning, Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman and former Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto joined MLB analyst Jeff Passan to discuss what exactly might affecting Ohtani when it comes to going up to the plate with his lingering injuries.

“When people hear timing, they think start earlier,” Bregman said to Passan. “A lot of the time you’re starting (at) the same time, but there’s a mechanical difference or something different with your body that is not allowing you to move as clean mechanically that makes you make contact deeper.

“If I am over separated or maybe my leg’s messed up or my back is hurt, whatever it may be, I’m not gonna move as clean to be able to get the bat to where it needs to get to. He may be starting on the same exact time that he’s been starting all year, the mechanics are just a little bit different so the bat’s not getting delivered out in front in front of the body anymore.”

Votto then offered up his observation.

“What he hasn’t probably gotten to yet because he’s been so good for so long, I don’t think he’s come up with like the B approach,” Votto noted. “Like the, the backup plan. Can I figure out a way just to like pop a ball in the middle of the field in some way, lower my angle? When I see him swing , he’s still taking these like flourishing big Shohei Otani swings.

“How many times have you been unwell during the course of your career where you’re like ‘I’m struggling today’ but you have the ability to, like, walk, slash a ball and buy yourself another day or what have you. And then, you know, at the end of that month or that couple weeks, you’re slugging .375 but you’re on base 375. You figure out, okay, I’m healthy again and I’m going to get back on track.”