Whose watching Ohtani's one inning tonight?

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Beercan collector

Of course I could be totally wrong , Betts is a fine base runner,
Freemans a doubles machine - put them in front of Ohtani that looks like a bunch of runs to me - And they both be seeing more hittable pitches.
It’s always fun to pretend I’m smarter than a major league manager

I took a quick look at Ohtani's stats in 2024 and in 2025, season to date. So far this year, he's hitting .240 with OPS of .824 with RISP, compared with .283 and an OPS of .868 last year. So he isn't quite as good with runners in scoring position this year.

But he's also only had 50 ABs with RISP this season so far, which is roughly 30% less than what he probably had last year (he had 145 ABs with RISP for the full season last year).

So I think it is a combination of both issues -- he's less efficient himself, and the bottom of the order hasn't been getting on base as much.

Another anomaly is that Ohtani scored 134 runs last year, but is on pace this year to score 154. So someone is knocking him in.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by bk400

I took a quick look at Ohtani's stats in 2024 and in 2025, season to date. So far this year, he's hitting .240 with OPS of .824 with RISP, compared with .283 and an OPS of .868 last year. So he isn't quite as good with runners in scoring position this year.

But he's also only had 50 ABs with RISP this season so far, which is roughly 30% less than what he probably had last year (he had 145 ABs with RISP for the full season last year).

So I think it is a combination of both issues -- he's less efficient himself, and the bottom of the order hasn't been getting on base as much.

Another anomaly is that Ohtani scored 134 runs last year, but is on pace this year to score 154. So someone is knocking him in.

It's really a testament to the Dodgers lineup, he had that many RBI's.

Ohtani had 177 Plate appearances with RISP. He led off 90 games last year, and batted 2nd for 69 games.

Judge batted 3rd, all year last year, and only had 178 Plate appearance with RISP.

With Soto gone, they have Judge moving up to the #2 spot, about half the games this year.

By the way, Judge is a career .302 AVG, .449 OBP, with Runners in scoring position.

Ohtani, for his career is not quite at that level, but pretty close.

I'd have Ohtani batting 1 or 2 in the order, anytime possible, just to take advantage of his base-running. Ultimately, you want OBP machines like Ohtani and Judge to get as many at bats as possible. Runs are just as important as RBI's.

[Beercan collector]

I always enjoy stats at mid season (81 games)
This is gonna knock my “ batting Ohtani first is bad ” theory
But thought it was interesting enough to share .

Dodgers rbis:
Pages 54
Hernandez 53
Muncy 51
Ohtani 51
Smith 42
Freeman 41
Betts 39
Edman 38
Four on pace 100+ RBIs - or seven more than 75 RBIs

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Slightly OT but Kershaw has been dealing his last couple outings. Only allowed 2 fly balls today and only took 69 pitches to complete 6 innings. His last start was very efficient too, and he's been using the curve as his strikeout pitch which is nice to see again.

[Peter_Spaeth]

He should be batting 3rd or 4th, and should not be allowed anywhere near a pitching mound. Batting him leadoff is surely costing the team runs.

He isn't getting THAT many extra plate appearances batting 1st as opposed to 3rd. Here is a Fangraphs analysis.
https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/buying...y-lineup-spot/

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

He should be batting 3rd or 4th, and should not be allowed anywhere near a pitching mound. Batting him leadoff is surely costing the team runs.

He isn't getting THAT many extra plate appearances batting 1st as opposed to 3rd. Here is a Fangraphs analysis.
https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/buying...y-lineup-spot/

I think Mark Walter is playing it right. Ohtani wants to pitch. The fan base wants to see him pitch. He far exceeded expectations in his first year as a Dodger. Won the ring, etc. I am in Asia most of the year -- there is only one MLB baseball player that the average person here can name, and it is Ohtani. Lotta people here who buy Dodgers gear, that's all I'm saying.

Ohtani can do whatever he wants until the Dodgers start to lose badly, which hasn't happened yet. I thought he was having an off year, but then I took a look at his stats. That guy might win MVP again this year.