Playing impeded, Ohtani still looking to make big WS impact

NEW YORK -- Even without much production from their biggest superstar, the Dodgers still find themselves on the cusp of a championship. Plus, there’s still time for Shohei Ohtani to author that signature World Series moment.

That’s because this series is headed for a Game 5, following the Dodgers’ 11-4 loss at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night, keeping the champagne on ice for at least one more day. Los Angeles leads the series, three games to one.

Thus far, Ohtani’s first Fall Classic has been defined largely by his injury -- a left shoulder subluxation that he suffered late in Game 2 on Saturday. He’s mostly struggled at the plate, hitting just .133 through four games.

On Tuesday, Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a fifth-inning single, though he hasn’t quite looked himself.

“We've asked him many times over, and it's not impeding,” Roberts said of Ohtani’s left shoulder. “He doesn't feel it. I just think it's the chase. You see it. There's some big at-bats that could result in a walk, and not taking the base and chasing hasn't been good.”

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It's hard to say whether Ohtani’s struggles in the last two games specifically are the result of that injury or just, you know, baseball. His overall production this series resembles that of his likely MVP counterpart, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. In fact, check out their stat lines:

Judge: 2-for-15, 2 BB, HBP (no homers)
Ohtani: 2-for-15, 2 BB, HBP (no homers)

The numbers are practically identical -- although Ohtani’s at-bats have been markedly better than Judge’s. He’s making more contact (and better contact) and has the only extra-base hit between the two -- a crucial Game 1 double.

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Still, those numbers clearly aren’t up to Ohtani’s MVP-caliber standards. As Roberts noted, that’s due in part to his pitch selection. Ohtani’s seventh-inning battle with Mark Leiter Jr. on Tuesday was the prime example.

Ohtani came to the plate as the tying run with the Dodgers trailing, 6-4. Often aggressive on the first pitch, Ohtani looked at a splitter right down the middle. After working the count full, he flailed at strike three -- another splitter -- well off the plate.

Nonetheless, the Dodgers are more than happy to have Ohtani atop their lineup, considering the events of Saturday night. He sustained the injury after sliding awkwardly into second base on a steal attempt, then needed his shoulder popped back into place, Roberts said.

After tests revealed no structural damage, Ohtani would return to the lineup for Game 3.

“The pain has subsided,” he said afterward, through interpreter Will Ireton.

Maybe so. But the injury still has its effects. Ohtani has winced after a small handful of swings in the past two games. He’s also had to tape that shoulder and noted on Wednesday, “It did feel different compared to when I don't tape myself.”

Nonetheless, the Dodgers and Ohtani remain confident he won’t be impacted much -- in large part because it’s his left shoulder that was injured. Ohtani can take full swings without fear of pain upon releasing the bat with his back hand.

“If it was more of the right shoulder, then I think it would have impacted my swing,” Ohtani said Wednesday. “Thankfully, it was my left.”

The injury’s most tangible impact has come on the basepaths. Ohtani became the first 50-homer, 50-steal player in big league history during the regular season, but the speed component of his game has been put on hold.

Roberts has said multiple times that Ohtani won’t be stealing bases, and when Ohtani does run, he’s been holding his shirt with his left arm to remind himself not to slide with his left arm on the ground.

On that front, at least, Ohtani got his first slide out of the way -- a fifth-inning forceout at second base. He slid into the bag with his left arm holding his jersey to ensure it wouldn’t impact the ground.

“I think it's been fine so far,” Roberts said of Ohtani’s baserunning. “He actually slid tonight. So I don't think that it's been a problem. He's not going to be stealing bases, I wouldn't think, but I think it hasn't been too much of a problem.”

The reality of the situation is this: Ohtani’s World Series numbers remain an immensely small sample -- particularly after he’d batted .364 with two homers and a 1.184 OPS against the Mets in the National League Championship Series.

And he’ll have at least one more game to deliver that defining World Series moment he’s craving.

Even with a balky shoulder, this is Shohei Ohtani. You wouldn’t put it past him.