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Why Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani won’t hit again when he takes mound vs. Astros
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- Why Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani won’t hit again when he takes mound vs. Astros
Why Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani won't hit again when he takes mound vs. Astros appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to face the Houston Astros on Tuesday night in their second game of a three-game set. Shohei Ohtani will take the mound for the game, but for the second straight start, Ohtani will not hit for the Dodgers .
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Now, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is addressing why Ohtani, who was originally projected to be in the batting order on Tuesday, will now only pitch , according to Courtney Hollman of MLB.com.
"Tomorrow, he is just going to pitch," Roberts said after the game on Monday. "I just decided that [by] just kind of watching him [and his body language], just giving him the opportunity to focus on the pitching [and] rest his body. I think it's best for him."
Ohtani has been dominant on the mound so far this year. He is 2-1 in five starts with a 0.60 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. He took the loss last time out, while giving up two runs, wth just one earned, and striking out nine against the Miami Marlins .
At the plate, Ohtani is not having the same success. He is hitting just .240 with a .382 OBP. The four-time MVP has six home runs and 14 RBIs with 23 runs scored this year. He is also in a hitting slump. The slugger has not had a hit in his last five games, going 0-17 with six walks and four strikeouts.
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Meanwhile, Roberts said the decision to have Ohtani hit or not when he is on the mound will be a "start-by-start, redirect situation."
"I think regardless, it's still a big toll," Roberts said. "We've certainly enjoyed the fruits of him doing [both jobs], which he will continue to at times. But I just felt that in my mind, just kind of seeing how it's playing, I think it's best for him."
The Dodgers are 22-13 on the year , placing them in first place in the NL West. First pitch between the Dodgers and Astros is set for 8:10 p.m. ET.
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