Mookie Betts’ Injury Forces Change In Shohei Ohtani’s Batting Routine: “Make Sure There Aren’t Any..”

Even for a team as loaded as the Los Angeles Dodgers, losing a player like Mookie Betts is perhaps a hole too big to fill. Still, in a slight relief, they at least have Shohei Ohtani with them. As one knows from his Angels days, Ohtani has more than enough experience in playing as a leadoff hitter. But with pressure increasing every day, even Ohtani has decided to tweak his game a little by changing his batting routine.

As Ohtani stepped up on the plate against the Colorado Rockies, there was something peculiar about him. The two-way phenom stood on his box and measured the distance between the plate and his shoes. For a star who makes even the most basic things scientific, surely this practice, too, must have had a reason. It became even more obvious when he was extra careful about his stance. Now, the Los Angeles Dodgers star has revealed that he did, in fact, work on his batting routine.

“The most important thing is the stance in the same way and stand in the same position,” Ohtani said, adding, ”The thickness of that line varies depending on the stadium, so I want to make sure there aren’t any slight deviations.” Any hitter knows how important proper stance is. For Ohtani, it becomes even more important because he tends to hit balls harder than average players. And as for understanding whether the methods are working or not? Ohtani’s performances answer it quite well.

Though the Dodgers lost Wednesday’s game 7-6 against the Rockies, Ohtani had a characteristically strong performance. The 2x MVP doubled, singled, and drove in three runs for the Blue Crew. This was another stellar performance for Ohtani after he hit a ridiculous 476-foot homer in the previous game. Still, despite performing well, Shohei Ohtani knows that covering for Mookie Betts isn’t an easy job. However, the star maintains high belief on his teammates.

Betts’ absence hurts but it’s also an opportunity for Shohei Ohtani

Yesterday was Ohtani’s third game as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ leadoff hitter. With 6 RBI and a home run, it’s needless to say he’s off to a great start. However, Betts’ absence isn’t just felt in hitting but also on the defensive side. Even though the star wasn’t having an impressive season as a shortstop, his absence has rendered the Dodgers’ left infield without both of its starters (Max Muncy is out too). 

Perhaps that’s why Ohtani explained how Betts’ absence is a “big hole” for the team to fill. “It’s a hole that is not easy to fill, obviously with the leadership position he embodies,” Ohtani explained, continuing, “But we just have to find a way as a collective unit to cover him.” Mookie Betts is expected to miss about 6-to-8 weeks of action due to his left hand fracture. While that is a big loss for the team, it has opened a giant gate for Ohtani.

Suddenly, Shotime has found himself in the driver’s seat for the NL MVP race. Until now, his biggest competition was Mookie Betts (who even had a little edge due to playing as a shortstop), but now that he’s out, Shohei Ohtani looks ahead. Could he convert this advantage into his 3rd MVP award? What do you think? Share your take in the comments below.