Shohei Ohtani is delivering another MVP-level performance this season, batting .284/.392/.623 with an outstanding OPS of 1.015, tying him with Kyle Schwarber for the National League home run lead at 44. While the Dodgers hold a 72-54 record and lead the NL West by two games over the Padres, their manager Dave Roberts faces a complex decision regarding the best use of Ohtani’s talents, raising questions about balancing offense and defense as the playoffs approach.
Balancing offense and defense complicates Dodgers’ lineup decisions
Former Dodgers coach Chris Gimenez, now an analyst, highlighted the difficulty the team faces in managing Ohtani’s role as a designated hitter during an interview with <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB Network Radio. He noted the inherent trade-offs involved in the Dodgers’ lineup construction, emphasizing that improving one facet may weaken another. Gimenez pointed out the dilemma succinctly: “No matter what, you’re hurting.” —Chris Gimenez, Former Dodgers Coach
Gimenez further explained that placing Ohtani in right field allows the Dodgers to field their best defensive lineup but comes at the cost of offensive firepower. This is because moving Ohtani to the outfield means sacrificing the bat of Teoscar Hernandez, as one must be left out of the lineup. The analyst suggested that the Dodgers might benefit more by prioritizing offensive strength, even if it means a slight defensive drop-off:
“Easy as it is to put [Shohei Ohtani] on right field, by doing that, it’s your best defensive lineup, but it’s not your best offensive lineup. Now, you’ll lose Teoscar Hernandez’s bat because guess who you’re not taking out of the lineup, and that’s Ohtani. I feel like they’re better off [and] I know they’ll lose a little bit defensively…I would rather hurt defensively that offensively.”
—Chris Gimenez, Former Dodgers Coach
Ohtani’s past outfield experience and current role as designated hitter
Ohtani’s history as an outfielder dates back to his time in Japan with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, where he made 62 appearances in both right and left field. Despite his versatility, the physical demands of serving as both a pitcher and a fielder led to his permanent designation as a designated hitter in MLB, especially following the introduction of the DH rule years after his debut.
Ohtani ties NL home run lead during Dodgers’ victory over Rockies
In a recent game against the Colorado Rockies, Ohtani hit his 44th home run, tying him with Kyle Schwarber for the National League lead and placing him second in all of <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>Major League Baseball behind Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners. Ohtani’s homer came off Rockies pitcher Austin Gomber during the Dodgers’ explosive 11-run effort, which secured their 72nd win this season.
During the game, Ohtani went 1-for-5, recording one home run, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk. His teammate Alex Call contributed significantly, going 4-for-5 with a solo home run, a double, two RBIs, and three runs scored, providing key offensive support for the Dodgers’ victory.
Implications of lineup choices for Dodgers’ postseason prospects
The Dodgers’ ongoing debate over Ohtani’s role underscores a broader tension between maximizing offensive output versus maintaining strong defense, especially with playoff contention heating up. As NL West leaders like the Padres remain close behind, the Dodgers’ decisions in the coming weeks regarding how to best incorporate Ohtani will likely impact their ability to advance deep into October. Manager Dave Roberts’ strategy must weigh the benefits of Ohtani’s batting dominance against the potential costs to defensive cohesion if he opts for a lineup emphasizing offense over fielding.