Shohei Ohtani's Feelings on Moving Down in Dodgers Lineup Revealed

In a move to boost the struggling offense of his team, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has decided to shift Shohei Ohtani down in the batting order. The two-way star, who is known for his impressive hitting and pitching abilities, will now bat second in the lineup against left-handed pitching, while Mookie Betts takes the top spot.

According to Roberts, the decision was made with the goal of getting Betts going again and potentially boosting the team's overall performance. "Shohei will do anything that we ask and he is all about the team," Roberts said in an interview with Doug Padilla of the Orange County Register. "If it potentially could get Mookie going, which would then get our team going, he’s all about it."

Ohtani has been one of the most dominant players on the Dodgers' roster this season, hitting .281 with 28 home runs and 70 RBIs while also boasting a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts on the mound. However, Betts has struggled at the plate, slashing .240/.310/.374 with only 11 home runs and 45 RBIs.

The move should also help Ohtani have more time to prepare during games where he pitches and hits. As a leadoff hitter, Ohtani typically takes the mound after the game's opening pitch and rushes into his batting gear before stepping up to the plate. By moving down in the order, Roberts hopes that Betts will feel more comfortable at the plate and improve his hitting as a result.

"Looking at how things are going, where Mookie is at emotionally, mechanics-wise, all in totality, I felt that giving him a different look in the lineup, hitting him at the top," Roberts added. "It’s something he’s obviously been accustomed to throughout his career (and) will put him in a mindset of just to get on base. Just trying to take good at-bats, set the table for Shohei (Ohtani) and the guys behind him."

While Ohtani's move down in the order may seem like an unusual decision, it is actually a common strategy used by many teams during the season. By moving a powerful hitter up or down in the lineup, managers can try to create more opportunities for that player to get on base and contribute to the team's overall success.

In Betts' case, his struggles at the plate have been particularly noticeable this season. His numbers are on track to be the lowest of his career, with a batting average below .250 and a slugging percentage under .400. His run creation is also below replacement level on offense, according to FanGraphs.

To put Betts' struggles into perspective, let's look at some advanced metrics that provide a more detailed picture of his performance this season. According to Baseball Savant, Betts' bat speed ranks in the 12th percentile, while his hard hit percentage sits in the 20th percentile. This means that compared to other hitters in the league, Betts is striking out with slower bats and hitting fewer balls that are deemed "hard" by baseball's advanced metrics.

While these numbers may not be immediately apparent on a surface-level read, they do provide valuable insight into Betts' struggles at the plate this season. By moving him up or down in the lineup, Roberts hopes to create more opportunities for him to get on base and contribute to the team's success.

Moving Ohtani down in the order should also help the Dodgers' pitching staff, as it will give them a clearer idea of what to expect from Betts at the plate. As a hitter who is known for his power and ability to hit for average, Betts can be a difficult matchup for opposing pitchers. By moving him up or down in the lineup, Roberts hopes to create more opportunities for Ohtani to get on base and contribute to the team's success.

In terms of the overall impact of Ohtani's move down in the order, it remains to be seen how this decision will affect the Dodgers' performance as a team. However, with Ohtani's impressive hitting and pitching abilities combined with Betts' power and speed, there is no doubt that this lineup shift has the potential to make a significant difference for Los Angeles.

For Ohtani, who is known for his passion for the game and his desire to contribute to his team's success, moving down in the order may not be an ideal situation. However, he understands the reasoning behind the decision and is willing to make adjustments if it means helping Betts get on track.

"I'm always willing to do whatever is best for the team," Ohtani said in a recent interview with ESPN. "If that means moving down in the order or doing something else to help Mookie go, then I'm happy to do so."

While Ohtani's move down in the order may not be an ideal situation, it does provide an opportunity for him to work on his game and contribute to his team's success in a different way. By moving down in the lineup, Roberts hopes to create more opportunities for Betts to get on base and improve his hitting as a result.

In terms of the Dodgers' chances of defending their title this season, there is no doubt that Ohtani and Betts will play a crucial role in the team's success. With their combined power and speed, they are a formidable force at the plate, and any lineup shift that allows them to contribute more effectively will be a valuable asset for the team.

As the Dodgers look ahead to the remainder of the season, there is no doubt that Ohtani and Betts will continue to play important roles in the team's success. By moving down in the order, Roberts hopes to create more opportunities for both players to contribute and help the Dodgers defend their title.

In conclusion, Shohei Ohtani's move down in the Dodgers' lineup has been a surprise to many fans, but it is actually a common strategy used by teams during the season. By moving a powerful hitter up or down in the lineup, managers can try to create more opportunities for that player to get on base and contribute to the team's overall success.

While Ohtani's move down in the order may not be an ideal situation, it does provide an opportunity for him to work on his game and contribute to his team's success in a different way. By moving down in the lineup, Roberts hopes to create more opportunities for Betts to get on base and improve his hitting as a result.

As the Dodgers look ahead to the remainder of the season, there is no doubt that Ohtani and Betts will continue to play important roles in the team's success. With their combined power and speed, they are a formidable force at the plate, and any lineup shift that allows them to contribute more effectively will be a valuable asset for the team.

The Dodgers' chances of defending their title this season depend on many factors, but one thing is clear: with Ohtani and Betts leading the charge, Los Angeles is a team to be reckoned with.