{"id":43829,"date":"2025-04-25T04:01:53","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T04:01:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=43829"},"modified":"2025-04-25T04:01:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T04:01:53","slug":"shohei-ohtanis-slump-under-spotlight-after-dodgers-swept-by-cubs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=43829","title":{"rendered":"Shohei Ohtani\u2019s Slump Under Spotlight After Dodgers Swept by Cubs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Shohei Ohtani\u00a0hasn\u2019t been the automatic superhero Dodgers fans are used to, and predictably, local media is losing its mind. But a closer look at the numbers \u2014 and the context \u2014 shows the overreaction is outsized.<\/p>\n<p>After a frustrating\u00a07-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs, Ohtani missed an opportunity with runners in scoring position, and he\u2019s batting .261 overall and .224 in his last 14 games.\u00a0It\u2019s not a scorching start like last year, but it\u2019s hardly a disaster, especially this early.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\" data-zone-count=\"4\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-773d128c3cad4035b10c3c0424094902\" data-google-query-id=\"CPTB3vel8owDFWfJFgUdyxQY8Q\" data-ad-size=\"300x250\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/mlb\/los-angeles-dodgers_2__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/mlb\/los-angeles-dodgers_2\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/mlb\/los-angeles-dodgers_2\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-container-id=\"3\" data-rhp=\"1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Manager Dave Roberts shared insight into why Ohtani is struggling after\u00a0the Cubs\u00a0swept the Dodgers in their two-game series at Wrigley Field.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s something we\u2019re not used to,\u201d Roberts said of Ohtani (h\/t\u00a0LA Times).\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t know if he\u2019s trying to do something, trying too hard.\u00a0\u201cThere\u2019s a couple walks [he has taken recently]. But there\u2019s other times where he\u2019s getting himself out instead of taking a walk if given to him.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\" data-zone-count=\"4\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-bec64933fa514af19fd29ca179caa463\" data-google-query-id=\"CN6c3vel8owDFSzKFgUdxNczJQ\" data-ad-size=\"300x250\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/mlb\/los-angeles-dodgers_6__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/mlb\/los-angeles-dodgers_6\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/mlb\/los-angeles-dodgers_6\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-container-id=\"7\" data-rhp=\"1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Moreover, the baseball media has also pointed out Ohtani&#8217;s slump.<\/p>\n<div class=\"m-detail--body-item m-detail--body-twitter-embed\">\n<figure class=\"m-embed mm-embed--twitter l-inline\">\n<div class=\"rna-container rh-null\" data-embed-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JesseRogersESPN\/status\/1915209440409628741\" data-rhp=\"1\">\n<div class=\"twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered\"><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-0\" class=\"\" title=\"X Post\" 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data-embed-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BlakeHHarris\/status\/1915208932588687444\" data-rhp=\"1\">\n<div class=\"twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered\"><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" class=\"\" title=\"X Post\" 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frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-tweet-id=\"1915208932588687444\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\" data-zone-count=\"4\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-8bc5e1d2c36c4e6da02e21c3b5aa4878\" data-google-query-id=\"CN-c3vel8owDFSzKFgUdxNczJQ\" data-ad-size=\"0x0\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/mlb\/los-angeles-dodgers_7__container__\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/mlb\/los-angeles-dodgers_7\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" src=\"https:\/\/eecbdfa04b25b8049731a40c7e1b9814.safeframe.googlesyndication.com\/safeframe\/1-0-41\/html\/container.html\" name=\"\" width=\"0\" height=\"173\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-is-safeframe=\"true\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-google-container-id=\"8\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Ohtani carried the Dodgers through slumps and injuries a year ago, hitting .310 over his first 23 games. This April,\u00a0he\u2019s been solid but unspectacular, still collecting six homers, 15 RBIs, and a .261 average in those same 23 games. His production is down, but he\u2019s not vanishing.<\/p>\n<div class=\"m-detail--body-item m-detail--body-item-inline\">\n<figure class=\"l-inline tml-image m-detail--tml-image--inline\"><a><picture class=\"is-loaded\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380\/MjE0NDMwMzIwMzI0MjU3NTcy\/usatsi_25998310.webp 380w, https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620\/MjE0NDMwMzIwMzI0MjU3NTcy\/usatsi_25998310.webp 620w, https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjE0NDMwMzIwMzI0MjU3NTcy\/usatsi_25998310.webp 700w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380\/MjE0NDMwMzIwMzI0MjU3NTcy\/usatsi_25998310.jpg 380w, https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620\/MjE0NDMwMzIwMzI0MjU3NTcy\/usatsi_25998310.jpg 620w, https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjE0NDMwMzIwMzI0MjU3NTcy\/usatsi_25998310.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"m-detail--tml-image m-image\" src=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/t_share\/MjE0NDMwMzIwMzI0MjU3NTcy\/usatsi_25998310.jpg\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) after running against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Wrigley Field.\" width=\"5259\" height=\"3506\" data-src=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MjE0NDMwMzIwMzI0MjU3NTcy\/usatsi_25998310.jpg\" \/><\/picture><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"m-detail--tml-image-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"m-detail--tml-image-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<p class=\"tml-image--caption\">Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) after running against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Wrigley Field.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tml-image--attribution\">Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\" data-zone-count=\"4\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-42154884288648308f25b12c9437d132\" data-google-query-id=\"CM240o6m8owDFcqL6QUdQ8I73A\" data-ad-size=\"adhesion\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/mlb\/los-angeles-dodgers_8__container__\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/mlb\/los-angeles-dodgers_8\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" src=\"https:\/\/eecbdfa04b25b8049731a40c7e1b9814.safeframe.googlesyndication.com\/safeframe\/1-0-41\/html\/container.html\" name=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-is-safeframe=\"true\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-google-container-id=\"9\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Importantly, Ohtani isn\u2019t the Dodgers\u2019 only issue. The bottom of the order is hitting under .200.\u00a0Freddie Freeman\u00a0and\u00a0Mookie Betts\u00a0have slumped.<\/p>\n<p>The starting pitching has been good at best, when it was expected to be elite. The bullpen has let games slip away late, and the team has made fundamental mistakes, including missed cutoffs, poor base running, and giving up too many stolen bases.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s natural for a star like Ohtani to get the headlines, but pinning LA\u2019s recent stumbles entirely on him ignores the broader picture. Baseball isn\u2019t built on one player\u2019s hot streak or slump, and Ohtani\u2019s track record suggests he\u2019ll break out soon.<\/p>\n<p>Media panic makes for good engagement. But the Dodgers\u2019 issues are bigger than Ohtani\u2019s swing \u2014 and they\u2019ll need more than one guy to solve them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mm-embed-card--list\">\n<div class=\"m-card--media\"><a class=\"m-card--image-link\" tabindex=\"-1\" href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/mlb\/los-angeles-dodgers\/receive-brutal-blow-on-blake-snell-health-status\" rel=\"\"><picture class=\"is-loaded\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_220\/MjE0NDE1MjY3NTM3NjI2OTE2\/usatsi_25832253.webp 220w, https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_320\/MjE0NDE1MjY3NTM3NjI2OTE2\/usatsi_25832253.webp 320w, https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_640\/MjE0NDE1MjY3NTM3NjI2OTE2\/usatsi_25832253.webp 640w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"220px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_220\/MjE0NDE1MjY3NTM3NjI2OTE2\/usatsi_25832253.jpg 220w, https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_320\/MjE0NDE1MjY3NTM3NjI2OTE2\/usatsi_25832253.jpg 320w, https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_640\/MjE0NDE1MjY3NTM3NjI2OTE2\/usatsi_25832253.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"220px\" \/><\/picture><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shohei Ohtani\u00a0hasn\u2019t been the automatic superhero Dodgers fans are used to, and predictably, local media is losing its mind. But a closer look at the numbers \u2014&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":43833,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43829","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Shohei Ohtani\u2019s Slump Under Spotlight After Dodgers Swept by Cubs - 24\/7 News America<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=43829\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Shohei Ohtani\u2019s Slump Under Spotlight After Dodgers Swept by Cubs - 24\/7 News America\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Shohei Ohtani\u00a0hasn\u2019t been the automatic superhero Dodgers fans are used to, and predictably, local media is losing its mind. 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