Sports
How hitting with runners in scoring position has been Shohei Ohtani's one Dodgers flaw
The timing was coincidental.
But, on Shohei Ohtani’s first off day as a Dodger, the discourse Wednesday centered on the one big struggle of his 2024 season — a weakness that had cropped up once again the night before.
When there hasn’t been a baserunner at second or third base season, Ohtani has been the best hitter in baseball. He is batting an MLB-best .398 in such spots. His .774 slugging percentage is more than 100 points better than all but two other players.
When the Dodgers need to start a rally, the $700 million signing is often their most potent spark.
However, with runners in scoring position over the first month of the year, the slugger’s production has unexpectedly cratered, leading to a trend of frustratingly empty key at-bats.
With RISP, Ohtani is batting just .184 (seven for 38) with a .237 slugging percentage. Of the 14 big leaguers with at least 35 such at-bats, he is the only one with less than 10 RBIs. And, somewhat amazingly, he has driven more runs without RISP (10, including all seven of his home runs) than with RISP (nine).
The two latest examples came in a Tuesday loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, when Ohtani struck out in the fifth inning with runners on second and third, then almost hit into an inning-ending double-play in the top of the 10th, having to use his speed to beat a throw to first and prolong the inning — one that still resulted in only one Dodgers run, before the Diamondbacks scored twice in the bottom half for a walk-off win.
“Certainly, there was some opportunities,” manager Dave Roberts said a day later, after — in what he insisted was an unrelated decision — deciding to give Ohtani his first day off. “But, I don’t want to say [it was him taking a] step back.”
Maybe in the context of this season, it wasn’t.
But, compared to his past three seasons with the Angels, when producing in situational at-bats was one of the two-time MVP‘s signature strengths, Ohtani’s struggles this year have thus far been confounding.
From 2021-2023, Ohtani was one of MLB’s best hitters with RISP. He batted .305 in those situations, the 22nd-best mark in the majors in that span. He slugged .689, easily the best mark among big-league hitters.
On the surface, the explanations for this year’s regression seem simple.
Compared to his non-RISP at-bats, Ohtani swings more frequently (56% with RISP, 43% without) and chases more often (31.5% with RISP, 26.5% without) with a chance to drive in runs.
It has led to shorter at-bats (he sees 3.5 pitchers per plate appearance with RISP, and 4.2 without) and, despite a decreased in strikeouts, an also slightly lower walk rate (9.1% with RISP, 10.5% without).
Whenever he does come up empty on a pitch outside the strike zone, it’s easy for fans and media members to identify in real-time.
“Shohei is as aggressive as those bees were,” Roberts said, jokingly referring to the swarm of bees that delayed Tuesday’s game. “Hitters [like him] want to hit … They want to hit in big spots.”
Shohei Ohtani was given a day off for the first time this season, though Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was quick to point out it wasn’t because of his struggles with runners in scoring position.
(Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)
It’s just that, this year, he almost seemed to want to do so too badly too many times.
There is an important caveat to all this, though: Ohtani’s approach with RISP this year hasn’t seemed to differ much from what he did in Anaheim.
From 2021 to 2023, Ohtani swung with RISP almost 53% of the time, only slightly less than this year. He would chase pitches at a 35% rate, slightly more often than the opening month of this season.
Such aggression is evidently by design. When asked about his RISP approach a couple weeks ago, Ohtani acknowledged through his interpreter that “the zone that I am swinging is a little bit larger with runners in scoring position.”
Opponents, after all, are more likely to pitch around him with RISP. If he wants to “move the ball forward,” as Roberts likes to say, it requires hitting pitches not directly over the heart of the plate.
“Certainly,” Roberts said, “he feels like he’s the best option to drive in a run.”
Of course, as the manager conceded, that does give pitchers a way to exploit Ohtani, tempting him with offerings out of the zone he sometimes shouldn’t be chasing.
Yet, at the same time, Roberts said, “I think his DNA … is to want to swing the bat.” Which, in the manager’s opinion, “is still a good thing.”
So how does Ohtani get better with runners in scoring position?
Given his track record, the answer might not be as obvious as being more selective with his approach at the plate.
Sure, Roberts said, Ohtani needs to keep improving his plate discipline — a trait he has highlighted as a key to the slugger’s strong start to the year overall.
But, just as important, is for Ohtani to simply execute better when swinging outside the zone, and replicate the productive aggressiveness he honed in years past.
That could mean more consistency with his mechanics. It could mean trying to hit the ball the other way more often, something he has not done nearly as much with RISP this year compared to the past.
Whatever the case, his approach in clutch moments will continue to attract scrutiny — serving as the one place this year to poke holes in his game.
“I did see some more expanding than he has done in let’s say the last, seven to 10 games,” Roberts said of an ever-evolving process. “But I think in general, he’s been in a good spot.”
Sports
Lions star Amon-Ra St Brown explains why he isn’t fan of playing on Christmas: ‘Don’t even like it’
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While football fans may enjoy some NFL football on Christmas Day, not all players share the same thoughts.
Detroit Lions star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown revealed on his “St. Brown Podcast” with his older brother, Equanimeous, that he isn’t a fan of having to work on the holidays.
The Lions, who play yearly on Thanksgiving Day, will play at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) warms up ahead of the Washington Commanders game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., Nov. 9, 2025. (Junfu Han/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
“The two biggest holidays I feel like in the United States, we played on both of them.” Amon-Ra told his brother.
“And I don’t even have kids yet. If I had kids, I’d be even more pissed. Like, you can’t be spending it with your family, get to see your kids open gifts. I feel like that’s something that a lot of parents love to see and can’t wait for.
“I don’t even like it, and I’m not even a f—ing father yet.”
EX-NFL COACH RIPS REFS FOR LIONS PENALTY THAT TOOK LATE AMON-RA ST BROWN TD OFF BOARD
Playing for the Lions means Thanksgiving Day will always involve football, and Amon-Ra signed a four-year, $120 million extension last year. So, he understands Thanksgiving means work first before the feast.
But, as he said, both major holidays can be tough, especially for those fathers who want to be around their children and families.
It’s an added nuisance for Amon-Ra that the Lions also have to travel for the game.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrates after scoring during the first half against the Washington Commanders Nov. 9, 2025, in Landover, Md. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)
“Us traveling, it’s like, damn,” he told his brother.
Amon-Ra is also dealing with a knee injury following the team’s tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday. He was officially listed as questionable for the game, though he’s expected to play barring any pregame setback.
The Lions find themselves in a must-win situation in Week 17 if they want to make the playoffs. While Detroit needs to win their final two games, they also need the Green Bay Packers, their NFC North rivals, to lose their final two games to reach the playoffs.
The situation would’ve been different if the Lions hadn’t had Amon-Ra’s touchdown with 22 seconds left at Ford Field Sunday called back for offensive pass interference.
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A few plays later, Amon-Ra was called for offensive pass interference on the final play of the game, when he was able to pitch it back to quarterback Jared Goff, who flew into the end zone for what Lions fans hoped was the game-winning score. Instead, the flag negated the touchdown and the game ended.
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Sports
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford not concerned about Pro Bowl selections
Matthew Stafford was voted to the Pro Bowl this season, but the Rams veteran quarterback stopped concerning himself about the recognition more than a decade ago.
In 2011, the then third-year pro passed for more than 5,000 yards and 41 touchdowns for the Detroit Lions.
Stafford thought he had a chance to make the NFC roster, but Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Cam Newton got more votes.
“Wasn’t even close,” Stafford said, chuckling, on Wednesday. “So at that point, I kind of reserved myself to just go play, have fun and whatever happens, happens.
“But it is cool to be a part of it.”
Stafford, who also was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2023, is a leading contender for perhaps the NFL’s most prestigious award — most valuable player.
Stafford, 37, has passed for a league-leading 4,179 yards and 40 touchdowns, with five interceptions, while leading a Rams team that is 11-4 and currently seeded No. 6 in the NFC going into Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons (6-9) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Rams are averaging 30.5 points and 396.7 yards per game, both tops in the NFL. They rank second in passing (270.5 yards per game) and fifth in rushing (126.3 yards per game).
In last Thursday’s 38-37 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Stafford passed for 457 yards and three touchdowns. Yet he was outdueled by fellow Pro Bowl pick Sam Darnold, who led a touchdown drive in overtime and capped it with a game-winning two-point conversion pass.
Stafford is preparing to face a Falcons defense that ranks 14th overall, but eighth against the pass, giving up 195.1 yards per game.
Asked if he was surprised that Stafford has only been voted to the Pro Bowl three times, Rams coach Sean McVay said yes, adding that there were “a lot of layers to the Pro Bowl stuff.”
“You talk to the real football people. … I think he’s seen as a guy that’s one of the best ever to do it,” McVay said. “I think that’s been very well acknowledged this year but I think it’s probably overdue.”
Stafford has “elevated” everybody around him since the Rams traded for him in 2021, McVay said.
“The best part about Matthew is, he’s got this great humility,” McVay said, adding, “What he cares about are the respect of his teammates, his coaches and the people he’s playing against. And I think when you talk to those who know, hes got great respect and admiration for the way that he competes, the way he goes about it and what type of player he is.”
Etc.
Receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) and offensive lineman Kevin Dotson (ankle) are making “good progress,” but McVay did not provide a definitive update on their status for the game against the Falcons. … The Rams opened the 21-day window for cornerback Roger McCreary (hip) to return from injured reserve. McVay said “most likely” that the Rams will open the 21-day window for safety Quentin Lake (elbow) next week to return from injured reserve. Lake is expected to be ready for the playoffs, or possibly for the final game against the Arizona Cardinals. … The Rams are off Thursday. They are expected to practice Friday at SoFi Stadium, and Saturday at their Woodland Hills facility.
Sports
Steelers’ Mike Tomlin laments ‘volatile rhetoric’ across sports after DK Metcalf fan altercation
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed his support for wide receiver DK Metcalf before the star player’s two-game suspension for throwing a punch at a fan was upheld.
Tomlin didn’t elaborate on his reaction to seeing the clip, which showed Metcalf near the barrier between the Steelers’ sideline and the stands. The CBS broadcast caught the interaction, which showed Metcalf pull on the fan’s shirt and take a swing.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks on from the sideline during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025. (Mitch Stringer/Imagn Images)
The longtime head coach acknowledged Tuesday the increasingly “volatile rhetoric” in sports.
“Not only (in) our business, (but) college, youth sport parents,” he said. “I think it’s just a component of sport that’s developed and developed in a big way in recent years, and it’s unfortunate.”
It’s unclear what the fan, who was identified as Ryan Kennedy, said to Metcalf that sparked the altercation. Kennedy was accused of making a racist comment and saying a derogatory remark about the player’s mother. However, Kennedy vehemently denied the accusations in a statement through a law firm. The statement said no hateful language was used.
Another report said that when Metcalf was playing for the Seattle Seahawks, he reported the fan to team personnel when he was in Detroit previously.
SEVERAL NFL TEAMS HAVE PLAYOFF-CLINCHING SCENARIOS IN WEEK 17
Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf wipes his face on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
Tomlin didn’t speculate when asked if there were more teams could do to protect players in that situation.
“Me speaking on it and speaking on it in detail and particularly expressing my opinion regarding things doesn’t help the circumstance in any way,” he said.
The NFL upheld Metcalf’s suspension on Tuesday night.
The league said Metcalf violated league policy, which states players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day and … if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.”
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He will miss the team’s final two games of the season and leave a boatload of money on the table.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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