Thu Oct 17 02:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Dodgers Embrace Small Ball to Get Ohtani to the Plate

**NEW YORK** – The Los Angeles Dodgers, in a surprising shift in strategy, have embraced small ball tactics in the NLCS to get their superstar designated hitter, Shohei Ohtani, more opportunities to drive in runs. This comes after Ohtani, while having a phenomenal regular season, struggled to hit with runners in scoring position early on.

Despite his recent struggles, Ohtani has been a force with runners in scoring position in the playoffs, hitting .800 with a home run and two walks in just five at-bats. This, combined with his remarkable season, has prompted Hall of Famer Derek Jeter to commend the Dodgers for their proactive approach.

“They’re not just going to intentionally walk Ohtani and pitch to Mookie [Betts]. It’s like, pick your poison,” Jeter said. “So at this point of the season, I’d force their hands. I like it.”

This strategy has included the Dodgers employing sacrifice bunts more often than usual, a tactic that was not prominent in their regular season approach. This, however, has been a point of contention for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who maintains that Ohtani’s position in the batting order will remain unchanged.

“To think that I’m going to move Shohei to the four [hole] or the three, that’s just not going to happen,” Roberts declared.

Despite the adjustments, Ohtani himself remains focused on his own approach, stating, “Regardless of however they are pitching to me, my plan is to stay with the same approach as much as possible and not really be too focused on how they attack me.”

While some might see Ohtani’s success in the postseason as a testament to “clutch” hitting, modern analytics emphasize the importance of consistency over isolated performances. Ohtani’s season, with its remarkable achievements and unexpected struggles, perfectly illustrates this point.

The Dodgers, however, seem committed to leveraging Ohtani’s immense talent, even if it means straying from their usual game plan. The question remains: will this unorthodox strategy prove successful in getting Ohtani to the plate in the most opportune situations and ultimately lead them to victory?

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