Shohei Ohtani really has a way of making the game look effortless! That eighth-inning blast on Wednesday was extraordinary—if it weren’t for the second deck at Citi Field, the shot might have landed right in Flushing Bay. Ohtani definitely took some good advice to heart when he heard his name- before he launched this three-run moonshot to seal an 8-0 victory over the Mets in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, Austin Barnes shared a little nugget of advice that he thought Ohtani could use.

And boy, did it pay off –  that homer not only capped off a stellar game but also showed just how impactful a simple tip can be in such a high-pressure moment. Shohei Ohtani radiated excitement as he dressed to leave the ballpark, just two victories away from the World Series. “Good coaching,” he remarked with a grin, according to The Athletic. How do you think the Dodgers will fare in the next games? Dodgers backup catcher Austin Barnes said, “I told him, hit the ball over the fence.” To which, Ohtani replied “Not bad advice,” while Barnes even clapped his hands for emphasis: “Like, ‘Today, man, over the fence!”. 

It not only extended Shohei Ohtani’s impressive postseason stats but also gave manager Dave Roberts a big sigh of relief. The Dodgers came into Queens hoping to get through three games with starters who usually don’t last long. But with that swing, Ohtani padded the lead alongside taking some pressure off the bullpen, letting Roberts rest his go-to guys, Evan Phillips and Daniel Hudson. Now, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting in Game 4, the Dodgers are looking pretty solid. They’ll have Phillips, Hudson, Blake Treinen, and Michael Kopech—all ready to back him up after their strong showing on Wednesday.  

Under the microscope: Shohei Ohtani’s quest for success in the playoffs

Shohei Ohtani is experiencing playoff action for the first time, and the attention on him is evident. For most of his career, Ohtani has been scrutinized, but American viewers are now dissecting his at-bats like never before. He walked twice in Game 2, even though the team lost; and in Game 1, he had two singles that helped the team win.

During the last few weeks of the regular season, Ohtani hit like a pro, sending pitches soaring with authority every time he saw them. According to Dave Roberts, Shotime could be swinging at too many pitches outside of the strike zone. You may have seen this matchup between him and Mets starter Sean Manaea in Game 2. The reporters noticed it, and he was asked about his approach prior to Tuesday’s Dodgers practice at Citi Field.

However, the two-way phenom appeared somewhat unaffected, adamant that he wasn’t withering in the playoff limelight. Nor did he consider himself to be in a terrible rut. It’s interesting to observe how Shohei Ohtani has been handling the pressure since; although aware of the risks, he appears determined to maintain his composure. What changes do you believe he’ll make going forward? Do you think Ohtani will regain the easy hitting we saw in the regular season? Share your take in the comments.