After a Game 4 World Series loss where even superstar Shohei Ohtani showed his human side, the Los Angeles Dodgers are confronting their chronic postseason hitting struggles, prompting urgent calls for the team’s other stars to rise to the occasion and prevent another October disappointment.
The highly anticipated Los Angeles Dodgers‘ run in the 2025 World Series hit a speed bump with a 6-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 4, evening the series at 2-2. This pivotal game brought a stark realization for Dodgers fans and management alike: even the transcendent talent of Shohei Ohtani has its limits. After an exhausting 18-inning battle in Game 3, the expectation for Ohtani to don his “Superman cape” once again in Game 4 proved to be an unfair burden, as he looked, well, human.
Manager Dave Roberts articulated the team’s reliance on Ohtani, stating, “Every time he steps up I expect great things to happen, and maybe unfairly.” Ohtani pitched six strong innings but faltered in the seventh, surrendering runs that led to the loss. Offensively, he was kept in check, never hitting the ball out of the infield. This performance has reignited discussions within the fan community about the Dodgers’ broader offensive struggles and their historical tendency to underperform in critical October moments.
The Weight of Expectation on Ohtani’s Shoulders
Since signing his monumental $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani has been hailed as the face of MLB and a generational talent. His versatility as both a dominant pitcher and an elite hitter makes him a unique force. However, even for a player of his caliber, the pressure to carry an entire team, especially in the postseason, can be immense.
Ohtani has faced personal challenges off the field, including the high-profile gambling scandal involving his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, which he has publicly sought to put behind him. Furthermore, he’s been battling physical issues, playing through a bruised hamstring sustained on May 16, 2024. Despite these hurdles, Ohtani has maintained an impressive postseason, boasting eight home runs and a 1.182 OPS, often camouflaging the team’s broader offensive deficiencies.
His manager, Roberts, acknowledged the toll, even suggesting that the Game 4 loss could be a “catharsis” for the team. Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen echoed this sentiment, hoping it would be a “wakeup call” to spark the offense. For Ohtani, who felt strong enough to argue for pitching nine innings in Game 4, the struggle was in a single “regrettable pitch” to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., rather than overall fatigue.
Dodgers’ Offensive Anemia: A Persistent Postseason Problem
The root of the Dodgers’ current predicament extends beyond Ohtani’s individual performance. The team’s offense has been alarmingly stagnant since their wild-card series against Cincinnati. Across their other twelve postseason games, they have scored only 45 runs, averaging a paltry 3.7 runs per game, significantly less than the Blue Jays‘ 94 runs in the same span. Their collective batting average has plummeted to .220 since the NL Division Series, a meager .214 in the World Series, and an abysmal .183 with runners in scoring position.
Third baseman Max Muncy, who hit the team’s lone extra-base hit in Game 4, admitted, “Not great. We’re missing on the big opportunities, myself included. I’m one of the big culprits of that. I’ve had some opportunities that I haven’t cashed in. We’ve got to get the big hit.” This consistent struggle to produce runs highlights a deeper issue than just a few off nights.
Historically, the Dodgers have faced criticism for their postseason performance, often failing to translate regular-season dominance into October success. This narrative of “choking” on the big stage has followed them for years, with even their current offensive headliners, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, struggling at times in the playoffs. Excluding the fan-less 2020 postseason, Betts holds a career .231 average in the playoffs, as detailed by USA TODAY Sports.
Searching for Another Hero: A Collective Responsibility
The signing of Shohei Ohtani was not just about acquiring unparalleled talent; it was also about bringing in a player with the mental and spiritual fortitude to perform under immense pressure. His heroics in the World Baseball Classic, culminating in a dramatic strikeout of Mike Trout to secure Japan’s victory, exemplified his ability to deliver when the stakes are highest. Former Angels manager Phil Nevin noted, “performing at this level, when there’s so much focus on one person… only the mentally strong are able to do that.”
However, as Game 4 demonstrated, the burden cannot rest solely on Ohtani. While he has been a consistent force, the team’s collective offensive output needs to improve drastically. Players like Betts and Freeman, perennial MVP candidates, must find their postseason rhythm. The fan community remembers past Dodgers heroes like Justin Turner, Kiké Hernández, and Joc Pederson, who embraced big moments, and notably Corey Seager, who departed after his 2020 World Series MVP performance.
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts acknowledged the quality of their opponents, reminding everyone, “They’re not in the World Series by luck. They’re a really good ballclub.” This underscores the need for the entire team, not just Ohtani, to elevate their game. The Dodgers’ ability to regroup and find that collective spark in the remaining games will determine if they can secure their second consecutive World Series title, a feat not accomplished in 25 years. The “instant classic” 18-inning game, while a victory for the Dodgers, also highlighted the strenuous demands of relying on individual heroics, as referenced by Yahoo Sports.
Looking Ahead: Adjustments and Urgency
With Game 5 looming, manager Dave Roberts is contemplating a lineup shake-up, hoping to ignite the dormant offense. The team possesses two co-aces in Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto slated for the next two games, offering confidence in their pitching. Yet, pitching alone cannot win a championship if the bats remain cold. Ohtani, despite his personal disappointment, remains optimistic, stating, “We’re facing quality arms this time of the year against really good teams. And we’re facing the best of the best. So I think it’s not that easy. But at the same time, we could do at least the minimum to put some runs.”
The Dodgers are at a critical juncture. The World Series is a test of depth and resilience, not just individual brilliance. While Shohei Ohtani remains the most electrifying player in baseball, his “mortal” Game 4 performance serves as a powerful reminder that championships are won by teams, not by single superheroes. The next few games will reveal whether the Dodgers can find the collective heroes they desperately need to claim the ultimate prize.
