Steve Webb
NEW YORK, NY — Following the Dodgers’ 10-2 victory over the Mets in Game 4 of the NLCS, Shohei Ohtani spoke to the media about his performance as well as that of the team Through his interpreter Will Ireton, Ohtani discussed his approach at the plate, postseason experiences, and the excitement of the playoffs.
Reflecting on his performance, Ohtani explained that he hadn’t made any major adjustments to his approach, even after a few recent struggles. “I haven’t changed my approach in general,” he said. “I’ve been able to kind of stick to the same approach that I have. With the different situations, I might change a little bit here and there, but overall it’s been the same approach.” He emphasized the importance of staying consistent, regardless of how his previous at-bats had gone.
Ohtani’s leadoff home run was a critical early boost for the Dodgers, and when asked about his mindset in the postseason, he highlighted the need for focus. “The focus has been pretty much the same regardless of the situation,” he noted, whether or not there were runners on base. Ohtani’s dedication to maintaining a steady approach has helped him stay locked in during high-pressure moments, something he demonstrated with his first-inning blast.
Discussing the performance of teammate Mookie Betts, who had four hits in the game, Ohtani expressed admiration for Betts’ recent efforts. “It’s been fun being able to see him perform really well,” Ohtani said. “Obviously, being in a situation where I’m on base and so he looks really good and locked in. My job at that point is to make sure that I score on anything that Mookie really hits.” The combination of Ohtani and Betts at the top of the lineup has been pivotal in the Dodgers’ postseason success.
With the Dodgers just one win away from advancing to the World Series, Ohtani remained grounded and focused on the immediate task at hand. “I’m really just focused on playing a really good game tomorrow,” he remarked. “Even though we’re in an away situation, I just want to focus on winning the game tomorrow and playing a really good game as a team.” Ohtani’s mindset highlights the team’s determination to close out the series.
Ohtani also acknowledged the support from fans in Japan, despite the time difference. “I’m sure it’s not easy for the people in Japan to be able to watch these games because of the time difference,” he said. “But Yoshinobu pitched really well, we’ve been playing really well, and I hope to continue to perform well as well for the fans in Japan.” The appreciation for his home country’s support adds another layer of motivation for Ohtani.
When asked about his celebratory gesture after the home run, Ohtani revealed that it was in response to a playful conversation with teammate Freddie Freeman. “Freddie talked to me to make sure that I joined the party earlier rather than later,” Ohtani explained. “I was able to do that this time in my first at-bat, so that was something that we talked about.”
Reflecting on his first MLB postseason, Ohtani summed up the experience as “grateful.” He said, “It’s been fun being able to experience the passion of the fans, and I hope that I’ll be able to perform well tomorrow.”
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