Add The New York Post on Google SAN DIEGO – A statement could be made on Wednesday night.
Not only by the Dodgers, who could further impose their long-standing dominance over the Padres.
In a season in which his slow offensive start has resulted in what appear to be unwanted modifications to his role, Ohtani will have a chance to provide evidence for the argument he has made the entire season: That his expanded responsibilities as a pitcher haven’t negatively affected him as a hitter.
Ohtani will be the Dodgers’ starting pitcher in the series finale at Petco Park.
And following three turns in the rotation in which Ohtani was used solely as a pitcher, manager Dave Roberts said he plans to include him in the offensive lineup as the designated hitter.
If Ohtani wants to make the case that his pitching and hitting don’t affect each other, here’s an opportunity to present compelling evidence.
Ohtani is extremely protective of his identity as a two-way player, probably because of the backlash he received when he declared his intention to become one upon turning pro in Japan.
When saying he wanted to continue playing both ways in the major leagues, he explained that he felt he owed it to the small group of people who supported his vision.
“There’s a part of me that feels it’s not just mine,” he said at the time.
When he first signed with the Angels, Ohtani wouldn’t hit on the day before he pitched, the day he pitched, and the day after he pitched. Before his fourth season with the team, he was approached by management, who said he would hit every game.
Ohtani later said he suspected the Angels were trying to nudge him into becoming a one-way player. He responded by winning his first of four most valuable player awards.
Questions over his role came up again last year in the postseason.
His limited offensive contributions led to him being asked the kinds of questions he is now.
He shut that down with a two-way performance for the ages: a 10-strikeout, three-homer tour de force against the Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series.
Ohtani again has the power to silence the chorus of skeptics. He delivers here, and he won’t have to downplay his achievements as he has in recent weeks.
He pitched seven shutouts innings against the Giants in his most recent start, but he barely smiled in a postgame media address that included several inquiries about the potential benefits of not hitting that night.
With Roberts sensing Ohtani was fatigued, he did more than just relieve him of his hitting duties on the day of his start. He also held him out of the next game entirely.
Ohtani returned as the DH in the series that followed against the Angels. He was 6 for 16 with seven runs batted in over the three-game series, which, naturally, prompted inquiries about whether he started hitting because the two-day break restored him physically.
“If anything,” he said in Japanese, “I was able to get a good feel before I pitched (against the Giants).”
To his point: He is now on a six-game hitting streak, which started the night before his start against the Giants.
None of this has stopped Roberts from sharing his honest observations about his star player, which is that pitching has fatigued him at times.
Before the series opener against the Padres, Roberts said Ohtani looked “more energized.”
The implication: Ohtani was helped by the two games last week in which he didn’t hit.
However, Roberts also said Ohtani would “probably” be “a little tired” that day because he threw a bullpen session.
The implication: Throwing a baseball is exhausting.
For what it’s worth, the Dodgers appear to be entirely supportive of Ohtani’s two-way efforts. Should Roberts take the time to have a conversation to emphasize that point to Ohtani? Roberts didn’t think it was necessary.
“He’s a big boy,” Roberts said. “He’s gonna be all right. He’ll be just fine.”
Addressing reporters at Petco Park this week, general manager Brandon Gomes reminded his audience that the Dodgers are venturing into the unknown. Ohtani is 32, now three years removed from his last season as a full-time, two-way player.
Or, as Roberts said, “I think we all came in knowing we had to read and react.”
Ohtani’s start on Wednesday will give the Dodgers something to which they can react. Once again, how Ohtani plays will determine how his story is told.
