Mets Limit Shohei Ohtani Impact, Win NLCS Rematch Against Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani continues to be a dominant force in Major League Baseball, recently hitting his 20th home run of the season against the Cleveland Guardians, showcasing his power even on a slower pitch. However, the New York Mets have found success in containing Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers' star trio in their recent series, with Mets' pitcher David Peterson effectively neutralizing Ohtani by avoiding four-seam fastballs and using off-speed pitches, striking him out three times in one game. Peterson downplayed Ohtani's stature by treating him like any other hitter, contributing to the Mets' 5-2 victory over the Dodgers, marking a stark contrast to last year's NLCS where Ohtani and his teammates were nearly unstoppable. The Dodgers' big three, including Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman, have struggled significantly in this series, combining for just two hits in 25 at-bats through the first two games. Meanwhile, Ohtani's return to pitching after a second Tommy John surgery is highly anticipated, with insights from pitcher Griffin Canning highlighting Ohtani's unique impact on the game and his adjustment period during his early career. Despite his injury setbacks, Ohtani has maintained his status as a two-time AL MVP and recently won the NL MVP after signing a lucrative contract with the Dodgers, though he is yet to pitch competitively for them.