ST. LOUIS – The first 40-40 season in franchise history could be days away. But talk of a Triple Crown – and even a third MVP award – has faded in the dog days of August.
Shohei Ohtani has led the National League in home runs and batting average for most of this season. He entered Sunday still holding a two-homer lead over Marcell Ozuna in the National League (38-36) but Ozuna has a six-RBI lead in that category (93-87) and Ohtani has dropped all the way to seventh in batting average (.291) after a 30-game slide.
Ohtani hit .223 (27 for 121) in the 30 games before Sunday, a slump that has intensified recently. He was 11 for 64 (.172) in the first 15 games this month and 5 for his last 34 (.147) before Sunday.
It has been an odd slump, however. Ohtani has continued to hit home runs. His solo shot in the fifth inning was his seventh home run this month (out of 12 hits).
“I think the plate discipline is just not what it is when he’s right. His walk percentage, I’m sure, in the last three weeks is considerably down,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think the swing decisions aren’t as good as they have been.
“At times, I think he’s out front. At times I think he is getting beat a little bit. He might be a little bit in between. … He’s losing his foundation, his base, his connection to the ground. That’s never a good sign for a hitter. Where you’re more into the ground, I think that’s when all hitters are best. I do think there’s a little bit of, on ice skates a little bit more than he typically is.”
Ohtani made a similar diagnosis, saying he felt off with his stance and setup at the plate.
“I think having the right posture when I’m looking at the pitcher is something that’s really important. I feel like it’s a little off,” he said.
“Rather than the swing, I think it’s more about the posture. I don’t really see much of a difference per se in terms of how the pitchers are attacking me. Regardless of how they’re attacking me, I’m really focused on swinging at strikes, regardless of any pitches that they throw. And when I’m not really squaring up, then it’s kind of telling me that I’m not quite on it.”
Ohtani said he won’t change his routine during a slump “but I do make some adjustments or spend more time focusing on trying to find some solutions to it.”
Throughout his career, Ohtani has typically slowed down offensively in the second half, particularly in August and September. But most of those years, he was also pitching.
This year, Roberts said he doesn’t see fatigue as a factor in Ohtani’s slump.
“I don’t know. I remember David Ortiz playing every day as a DH and he’s in a lot better shape than David,” Roberts said. “I wouldn’t think, when you’re taking four at-bats a night as a DH, fatigue should be a factor. I don’t think so.”
What Roberts did acknowledge as “a possibility” is Ohtani’s unfamiliarity with performing in a playoff race. He could be pressing, trying to do too much as a result.
“You’re not going to hit homers if you’re walking, but you have a chance to help your team win if you’re swinging at strikes,” Roberts said. “That’s something I don’t feel I should answer. That’s up to him. But it’s a fair question.”
FREEMAN FINGER
A day after a bad-hop ground ball hit him in the index finger on his right hand, Freddie Freeman was not in the Dodgers’ lineup against the Cardinals. Freeman had X-rays taken Saturday night that were negative but Roberts said he will undergo a CT scan on the injured finger when the Dodgers return to Los Angeles on Monday.
“It feels worse today than it did yesterday, which is certainly telling,” Roberts said. “I think obviously today doesn’t look good for him to play and tomorrow. It’s more day-to-day.”
Max Muncy was scheduled to come off the Injured List on Tuesday but Roberts said he could be activated a day earlier to give the Dodgers “coverage” at first base if Freeman can’t return soon.
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GRATEROL PROGRESS
When Brusdar Graterol injured his hamstring on August 6 and had to be helped off the field, it was feared that he might be lost for the season. But the injury was not as severe as first thought and Graterol could begin throwing off a mound again this week.
“That’s a lot quicker than a lot of us would’ve anticipated and that’s a good thing,” Roberts said.
ALSO
The Dodgers promoted right-hander Ben Casparius from Triple-A and designated Brent Honeywell Jr. for assignment. Honeywell had a 2.21 ERA in 20 appearances with the Dodgers including two innings in Saturday’s game. Casparius was 5-4 with a 3.48 ERA in 18 starts at Double-A and Triple-A this season.
UP NEXT
Mariners (RHP Bryan Woo, 5-1, 2.06 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Gavin Stone, 10-5, 3.63 ERA), Monday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM
