Ohtani's vulnerability behind 40-40, with just 3 scoring home runs...Director Roberts "Didn't you see Manlupo?" protest
Aug 27, 2024
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Ohtani joined the 40-40 club for the sixth time in history by stealing his 40th base of the season and hitting his 40th home run in a row against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium on the 24th (Korea time). He achieved it in 126 games of his season, becoming the fastest-ever hero of the milestone.
This is the moment when the record was achieved at that time.
Ohtani went out as a leadoff hitter in the fourth inning, trailing 0-3, and got on base with an infield hit, and was safe by running to second base as soon as the opponent's left-hander Tyler Alexander's first pitch, 78.1-mile sweeper, penetrated the outer strike zone. The moment Tampa Bay catcher Rob Brantley tried to throw, Ohtani was bloodless on second base as the ball fell off the mitt. 40th stolen base of the season.
Then, his 40th homer was the most monumental finish in history. Ohtani, who entered the batter's box with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning when the score was 3-3, hit an 84.3-mile low slider outside the first pitch of the opponent's left-hander Colin Forsche to lead to a grand slam slightly over the right-center fence.
It was Ohtani's third walk-off hit in his career, his first walk-off home run, and his third grand slam in his career.
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In other words, Ohtani became very vulnerable in scoring as he moved to the Dodgers this year. There are more than two runners on the right to score. It includes second base, third base, 1-2 base, 1-3 base, 2-3 base, and the bases loaded. It refers to a situation in which a runner can come in with just one hit.
Ohtani has a batting average of 0.224 (26 hits in 116 at-bats), three homers, 42 RBIs and an OPS of 0.696, in scoring position as of the 27th. He ranks 116th in batting average and 108th in OPS among 136 hitters in both leagues who have passed the regular at-bats. In contrast to the season batting average of 0.292 and OPS of 0.993. Ohtani has not been able to score since the beginning of the season. As of April 16, his batting average in scoring was one hit in 16 at-bats, which was less than 10%. Although it has improved since then, it is still far below the season's batting average and OPS.
The Athletic said 'Otani's weakness in scoring position may seem temporary. He doesn't strike out more in the scoring position than before. The small sample size shows that Ohtani is more sluggish in scoring.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in an interview with local media on the 25th, a day after Ohtani's 40-40 achievement, `Everyone knows what Ohtani can do in the scoring position. But I can bet he'll be better in those situations. That's what the grand slam was last night. Ohtani defended it, saying, "I have that ability and I'm just showing it here."
Ohtani has been playing leadoff even after Mookie Betts returned from injury. There are more at-bats without runners than there are at-bats with runners, and accordingly, even if you hit a home run, you hit a lot more when there are no runners. Of the 41 home runs, more than two-run shots are 16, far less than half. However, the high and low batting average and OPS have nothing to do with the scoring position.
It remains to be seen whether the Grand Slam, which marked 40 home runs, will enhance Ohtani's scoring clutch ability at the end of the season.
jhno@sportschosun.com
