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| Ohtani at the press conference. AP Yonhap News |
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| Ohtani at the press conference. AP Yonhap News |
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| Ohtani at the press conference. AP Yonhap News |
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Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers), who is playing his first fall baseball game, is still full of confidence.
Ohtani's team, the Dodgers, is set to play away against the New York Mets in Game 3 of the Championship Series at New York City Field on the 17th (Korea time).
This is Otani's first fall baseball in his career. Ohtani first entered the Major League in 2018 and never made the playoffs during his six-year career with the Los Angeles Angels. He signed an astronomical 10-year, $700 million contract and became the first to wear a Dodgers uniform this year, and is trying to break through the division series and win the National League Championship.
Speaking to reporters on the 16th, Ohtani said of the playoffs so far, "Honestly, I'm happy. The losing game is also fun. It feels good just to play with great players in tension. He explained, "I'm happy that I've been playing baseball so far, and I feel like I can play tomorrow as well."
While playing seven playoff games, Ohtani has a batting average of 222 (6 hits in 27 at-bats), one homer, five RBIs, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.677. In particular, the number of homers that he hit 54 in the regular season has been silent for six consecutive games since his dramatic three-run homer in Game 1 against San Diego. The fact that he struck out 12 times in the midst of this is another reason for controversy. The on-base percentage is 344, but there is only one stolen base failure without a stolen base.
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| 오타니. AFP Yonhap News |
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Even Mookie Betts, who supports Ohtani, has been sluggish. The sluggishness of the two players in charge of the table setter is the reason why the Dodgers' offense is overall frustrating.
There was no big problem until the Dodgers mound lasted 33 consecutive scoreless innings, but in the end, the moment the iron wall mound was pierced in the second game against the Mets, it seemed to have collapsed. Ohtani's second-round performance was 0-for-3 with two walks and two strikeouts.
But when asked if he was feeling too much pressure, Ohtani replied "I fight with the mindset that I do what I can now." Then "The feeling of hitting itself is not bad. Rather than making a difference just because it doesn't fit now, it's a way to make a good result by thinking about good moments during the season and finding that point,' he added.
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| LOS A오타니. AFP Yonhap News |
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The Dodgers won the division series against the San Diego Padres with a 3-2 record after a bloody battle. Win the ensuing Game 1 against the Mets 9-0? 訶? They lost 3-7 in the second game, tied at 1-1 with 1 win and 1 loss.
Asked about the possibility of changing Ohtani's batting order, Dodgers manager Roberts said "Our strategy is to play as many at-bats as possible. I have no intention of changing the batting order."
lunarfly@sportschosun.com
