“Something Is Bothering Shohei Ohtani” – Albert Pujols Gets Candid About Dodgers Superstar’s Offensive Struggles

Albert Pujols has shared his thoughts on Shohei Ohtani’s recent struggles at the plate, suggesting that something may be affecting the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar.

Ohtani has reportedly been dealing with several physical issues, including left knee discomfort that flared up in June and affected his pitching availability after July 3. A right biceps ailment and late-season neck tightness have also reportedly complicated his season, forcing him to spend two weeks on the injured list in September, as per MLB.com.

Through his first six postseason games across the National League Division Series and the National League Championship Series, Ohtani is batting .150 (3-for-20), with no home runs or RBIs and seven strikeouts, as per NBC Sports via Yahoo Sports. His struggles have raised questions about whether his physical condition is affecting his performance. Speaking about Ohtani’s form, Pujols suggested that the two-way star might be dealing with an issue that is affecting his swing.

“It seems to me that something is bothering him. I don’t know what is it. I don’t know if he’s hurt his injury, but when Shohei is going good, you know, I’ve been watching him covering him now that I’m in the network for the last two or three years. When he’s going well, man, he’s driving the ball less left centre, you know, and he doesn’t think about pool,” said Pujols.

Advertisement

“It seems to me that something is bothering him. I don’t know what is it. I don’t know if he’s hurt his injury, but when Shohei is going good, you know, I’ve been watching him covering him now that I’m in the network for the last two or three years. When he’s going well, man, he’s driving the ball less left centre, you know, and he doesn’t think about pool,” said Pujols.

“Right now, what I see about him is just that he’s a pool happy. But not just pool happy, but also it looks like every time he takes a swing and a miss, like he’s hurt. It looks like he’s hurt.”

“Right now, what I see about him is just that he’s a pool happy. But not just pool happy, but also it looks like every time he takes a swing and a miss, like he’s hurt. It looks like he’s hurt.”

Ohtani last appeared in Game 2 of the NLCS on Monday, when the Dodgers fell 7-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers.

During an off-day media session and workout at Dodger Stadium ahead of Game 3 of the NLCS on Tuesday, Shohei Ohtani addressed his batting struggles and physical condition, as reported by CBS Sports. Rather than blaming his injuries for his results, he accepted responsibility and explained that he was working to improve his swing while managing his symptoms.

“The results, I take full responsibility. That’s all I can really say, why the results haven’t been where I wanted it to be. I think there’s different approaches to this, whether that be focusing on reducing the symptoms and getting rid of the pain and/or just making sure that I’m moving well in the swing,” said Ohtani.

“The results, I take full responsibility. That’s all I can really say, why the results haven’t been where I wanted it to be. I think there’s different approaches to this, whether that be focusing on reducing the symptoms and getting rid of the pain and/or just making sure that I’m moving well in the swing,” said Ohtani.

“The symptoms have subdued a lot. Especially when I was on the IL, spending that time just being able to reduce the symptoms. As of now with the swing, it’s a daily process of trying different things, different feel on a daily basis.”

“The symptoms have subdued a lot. Especially when I was on the IL, spending that time just being able to reduce the symptoms. As of now with the swing, it’s a daily process of trying different things, different feel on a daily basis.”

Despite his recent struggles, Ohtani is expected to remain in the Dodgers’ starting lineup for Game 3 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Wednesday.

College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!