Shohei Ohtani Reaching Top Form? Superstar Slugger Smashes Home Runs in Back-To-Back Games

While the Los Angeles Dodgers may have encountered defeat in the Windy City, it did give them a sign of a changing winds. Until now, despite starting quite well Shohei Ohtani hadn’t shown his trademark viciousness on the plate. But then there were hopes that Shotime’s first home run would lead to a renaissance and unsurprisingly that turned out to be true.

While the Chicago Cubs proved to be a bit too strong for the Dodgers, Ohtani’s performance showed how strong the Blue Crews’ lineup is. With the superstar hitting another home run, there’s a genuine reason to wonder – is Shohei Ohtani’s first Dodgers hot streak about to begin?

Shohei Ohtani blasts another rocket as the Dodgers stint gets interesting

Ohtani’s bat had been screaming for homers ever since the start of the season. The speed was there, and so were the power, and velocity. However, the superstar just was not able to time the ball properly. But then the series against the San Francisco Giants showed signs of improvement. So it was only fitting that Ohtani ended that series with a giant 430 ft home run. In hindsight, that could’ve been the beginning of a hot streak for the superstar.

In Chicago amidst great winds, Ohtani hit a monstrous 2-run, 379 ft Home run with a 105.2 mph exit velocity. However, that was far from the only action the Shotime had. The superstar opened his first career game in Wrigley Field with a double and almost got a home run in his last at-bat too. 

The skipper Dave Roberts noted that Ohtani’s flyout in the 8th inning would’ve been a home run in any other scenario. With an exit velocity of 110.2 mph, that shot was struck harder than his home run. However, the heavy winds of Chicago affected its trajectory. As Dodger Insider revealed – in the statcast era only 20 balls have been hit with that velocity and 36-degree angle and 18 of them have been home runs.

All of this signals one thing – Shohei Ohtani could officially be back in form. That is an ominous sign for the opponents as the Dodgers’ top 3 are finally operating on similar frequencies. However, what led to this change? It might have to do something with the man whose record Ohtani is about to break.

Dave Roberts’ advice that turned things around for the two-way phenom

Shohei Ohtani told SportsNet LA that he was struggling with nerves before his Dodgers home debut. So he went to talk to the manager Dave Roberts who gave an important advice. “I actually talked to Doc this morning and he told me, ‘Just be yourself and don’t try to do too much.’ So that really helped me a lot to be able to calm myself and be myself,” Ohtani said. 

Ohtani has officially become the 3rd highest Japanese-born home run scorer in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ history. Ironically Dave Roberts sits at number 1 with 7 home runs. So Roberts’ record is in danger – he certainly won’t mind seeing Ohtani break it. After all, he’ll be in the best seat to witness that moment. That sure will be a sight to see. 

Read more: Shohei Ohtani Opens Up on Secret Improvement Behind First Home Run, Perseveres Despite Slow Start