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.”
Prosecutors in Kentucky were reportedly expected to drop the charges against Scottie Scheffler after his stunning arrest before the second round of the PGA Championship on Friday.
Jefferson County prosecutors were planning, “as of now,” to drop the charges, No Laying Up reported Sunday, citing a source “familiar with the office’s thinking.”
Scottie Scheffler plays a shot from a bunker on the 18th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 18, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer (a felony), criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
He allegedly drove past a police officer who was directing traffic and failed to stop when directed. The officer attached himself to Scheffler’s vehicle and was dragged. According to an arrest report, Louisville Detective Bryan Gillis suffered injuries in the incident.
Scheffler’s arraignment is set for Tuesday. The Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office and the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office didn’t immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Louisville, Kentucky, Mayor Craig Greenberg said Saturday there was no body cam footage of the incident between Scheffler and Gillis.
Scottie Scheffler and his caddie, Brad Payne, on the 18th green during the third round of the PGA Championship on May 18, 2024. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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“The officer did not have body cam footage turned on during the incident,” Greenberg said Saturday, via the Louisville Courier-Journal. “We will release footage that we have… to my knowledge, we have not yet discovered any video of the initial contact between Officer Gillis and Mr. Scheffler.”
Greenberg did say there was a “fixed camera” across the street from where the incident took place. He was unsure if Gillis was wearing a body camera. He didn’t say whether Scheffler’s charges would be reduced.
ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington was in the vicinity of the incident and caught video of Scheffler being put into the back of a police vehicle.
Scheffler called the incident a “big misunderstanding” on Friday.
In this still image made from video provided by ESPN, Masters champion Scottie Scheffler is escorted by police after being handcuffed near Valhalla Golf Club, site of the PGA Championship golf tournament, early Friday, May 17, 2024. (ESPN via AP)
“This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do,” he said. “I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I’m hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today.
“Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything in perspective.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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On Mother’s Day, Ebony Robinson felt like the luckiest mom in the world.
Her oldest son, Robert McRae III, a former Fairfax basketball player, is graduating next month from Dartmouth. Daughter Elyjah, a former Fairfax volleyball player, is a junior at the Ivy League university. And the baby boy, Romello, who played football and basketball at Fairfax, just chose the same school after turning down Harvard.
“It is pretty amazing,” Robinson said about having three children attend the same school in New Hampshire. “I never thought about it. I just didn’t.”
For those who worry about sibling rivalries, understand that the McRae children motivated each other in a positive way in trying to top one another.
“It was more about competing within ourselves,” Romello said. ”My brother was the star athlete for the family. When my sister went to high school, she made it a goal to have better grades than my brother. Going to Fairfax, I had a legacy to live up to.”
Romello, 6 feet 4 and 180 pounds, played basketball for the Lions, then joined the football team last season for the playoffs after his mother finally relented and let him play. He was the ball boy for 10 weeks until Robinson gave in.
“I was expecting him to just be on the sideline for one game,” she said. “They were supposed to lose in the playoffs.”
Romello McRae played basketball at Fairfax plus football during the playoffs last fall.
(Luca Evans / Los Angeles Times)
McRae caught a touchdown pass in the first playoff game and Fairfax ended up winning the City Section Division II championship. He has the best grade-point average of his siblings at 4.3 and earned a Gates scholarship that will pay for his college tuition.
“From what I’ve learned is that a healthy competition is always a good thing,” he said. “We’ve always congratulated each other on our successes but always wanted to be the best.”
Dartmouth’s Robert McRae III (23) and Romeo Myrthil (20) walk onto the court during the second half of a game against Duke last season.
(Ben McKeown / Associated Press)
Robert was an All-City basketball player and played on the Lions’ City championship team in 2019. He played four years at Dartmouth. Romello won a City basketball title in 2022 but probably will try to make Dartmouth’s football team as a walk-on with his mother’s blessing.
“I have accepted it. Go ahead and go try out,” she said.
Robinson, who works with at-risk youths, has been a single parent with a no-excuses attitude.
“Being a single mom, especially having two boys, I didn’t have a lot of room for nonsense,” she said. “I became really strict. I need you to do what I’m asking you to do. I have no mental room for being able to handle anything else.”
She made it clear what was most important in her family.
“Even though the kids would say I am most definitely strict, I always show them unconditional love,” she said. “That love taught them to love each other the same way. With unconditional love, all you can do is admire each other for their strength and not hate on one’s success.”
To have three kids make it to the Ivy League is something few in the family ever imagined until Robert heard from a Princeton recruiter in high school, when mom’s goal was, “I just want you to have school paid for you because I can’t pay for it.”
Robert, 22, is deciding whether to pursue a master’s degree after graduating next month or head off to Wall Street to work. Elyjah, 21, is majoring in anthropology. Romello, 17, wants to be an engineer and is hoping to borrow his brother’s warm jackets to deal with the New Hampshire winter. Mom will be home with the last of her children, 8-year-old daughter Ellyott.
“I am a proud mommy,” she said.
A monstrous rainstorm postponed Saturday’s NASCAR truck race, but those on the track still made the most of it.
The storm moved through North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, site of Sunday’s All-Star Open and Saturday’s Craftsman Truck Series Wright Brand 250.
Pole qualifying was canceled Saturday morning, but the race started on time, as positioning was set per the rule book. However, lightning in the area brought the red flag out on Lap 81 at roughly 2:30 p.m. ET.
Signage old and new at North Wilkesboro Speedway. (Jim Dedmon/USA Today Sports)
Fans were asked to clear the grandstand and take cover as rain began to fall.
NASCAR then announced at 5:05 p.m. ET the remainder of the race would be postponed until 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, and heat races for the All-Star Open slated for Saturday were canceled. Positioning for the race will be set based on the rule book.
Rain flooded pit road so badly, it was roughly thigh-high for some on the track.
Air driers at work before qualifying at North Wilkesboro Speedway. (Jim Dedmon/USA Today Sports)
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One person in a video taken by FOX Business senior producer Justin Freiman could be seen swimming and diving in the water.
A few seconds later, a driver did a belly flop.
The weather affected racing Friday night, as well. All-Star Race qualifying and a pit crew challenge at North Wilkesboro Speedway scheduled for Friday night has been postponed due to rain.
NASCAR announced Saturday and Sunday tickets would be honored Sunday with some stipulations.
Saturday ticketholders will receiver “priority seating” for the finish of the truck race, while those who have tickets for Sunday will then get seating for the All-Star Race, in the event of same-seat purchases.
Cars covered and parked on the grid during a weather delay in qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway May 17, 2024, in North Wilkesboro, N.C. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Twenty drivers will participate in the $1 million All-Star Race following the conclusion of the Wright Brand 250.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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