Dodgers News: Dave Roberts is Starting to Figure Out What Shohei Ohtani Needs

When Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave Shohei Ohtani a day off last Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he actually set him up for a 48-hour vacation. The Dodgers had a previously scheduled day off last Thursday before they welcomed the Atlanta Braves to town on Friday.

Since his return to the lineup, Ohtani has gone 10-for-17 through five games with four home runs, eight RBIs, seven runs scored, five walks, four stolen bases, and three strikeouts. Compared to the first 32 games, Ohtani was 44-for-131 with seven home runs, 19 RBIs, 25 runs scored, 15 walks, five stolen bases, and 28 strikeouts.

Roberts said that Ohtani’s day off has helped him reset his game.

“That’s something for me going forward to understand when he might need a day to reset, and that two-day blow I thought was big,” he told reporters, including Dodgers Insider. “The day before he had the off day, compare it today and yesterday through the series — he’s a different player.”

That “different player” had his best game in a Dodgers uniform against the Braves on May 5, going 4-for-4 with two home runs, three RBIs, and 80 percent of the team’s five hits. Ohtani told reporters that the team is playing well, which helps him have quality at-bats.

“Just feeling good overall,” Ohtani said.

Even though Ohtani went through spring training with the Dodgers, it isn’t the same as regular season games. Roberts is still learning about his new two-way superstar whose only job this year is to hit. Perhaps, there will be more scheduled days off throughout the season to make sure Ohtani stays hot like he is now.

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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