Shohei Ohtani's Struggles Highlight Dodgers' Recent Losses

Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' star, is experiencing a notable slump at the plate following his return from paternity leave, drawing criticism from fans and intense media scrutiny after the Dodgers were swept by the Chicago Cubs. Manager Dave Roberts attributes Ohtani's struggles to over-aggressiveness in his swings, suggesting that he's trying too hard to make an impact rather than playing with his usual discipline. Despite a drop in his numbers—batting .261 overall and .224 over the last 14 games—analysts and some media voices argue that the panic is overblown, especially given that other key Dodgers, like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, have also underperformed, and the team as a whole has made fundamental mistakes. The focus on Ohtani overshadows broader team issues, including underperformance from the bottom of the batting order and bullpen struggles. Fan frustrations have at times unfairly targeted other players, notably Max Muncy, despite his longstanding value to the team, highlighting the volatility of fan reactions during losing streaks. While the Dodgers' recent stumbles have intensified scrutiny on Ohtani, his proven track record suggests he is likely to rebound soon.