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The story
On 5ch’s “Live Broadcast G” board, word spread that the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani would start on the bench for a postseason game, with DePaula taking over at DH. Ohtani has been mired in a slump, going homerless in 110 at-bats this season, and the move is believed to follow a conversation between Ohtani and manager Dave Roberts — though conflicting reports claim Ohtani has shown strong eagerness to play, leaving the situation murky. On the thread, some blamed the slump on age-related decline, while others speculated that if DePaula delivers results, Ohtani’s playing time could shrink even further, with opinions divided over the reasoning behind the move and what happens next.
What people said
Local paper
If there's no Japanese player on the field, they don't even need to broadcast it.
Well yeah, there's no room left to mess around.
Well, a DH who can't hit is basically just furniture — he's not even reaching base, let alone hitting, so it can't be helped.
Dodgers Way already reported that DePaula at DH was pretty much a done deal.
Guess it's already decided then.
Guess it's already decided then.
The fact that Roberts had a 'talk' with Ohtani makes it pretty clear he was told he's out of the lineup and being talked into accepting it.
Though it sounds like Ohtani himself isn't convinced and is pushing back hard…
Though it sounds like Ohtani himself isn't convinced and is pushing back hard…
Tomorrow Smith and Ohtani are on the bench, with Feduccia and DePaula starting.
Re: #10
Lol, Smith got cut too.
Lol, Smith got cut too.
Who would've thought Tucker would end up being the most reliable one.
Well, he really isn't hitting, and he was pulling those ugly catcher's-interference appeals too, so it can't be helped.
The haters are probably panicking now that they've lost their target to bash.
Re: #18
Seriously frustrating.
Lost my reason to live.
Seriously frustrating.
Lost my reason to live.
Why does this guy get so much hate online anyway?
Re: #30
There's no world where a DH who can't hit doesn't get hated on.
There's no world where a DH who can't hit doesn't get hated on.
Re: #30
Because baseball itself gets hated on online.
Because baseball itself gets hated on online.
It's tomorrow's game, but if the Dodgers win, I wonder if he can get back in the starting lineup.
Re: #43
If DePaula drives in runs, they'll just decide DePaula's fine and stick with him.
If DePaula drives in runs, they'll just decide DePaula's fine and stick with him.
Re: #43 If DePaula performs well and they win, it's basically locked in that Ohtani won't be used next game either.
This is probably how he quietly fades out.
It's pretty similar to how Matsui got sidelined and gradually stopped being used.
This is probably how he quietly fades out.
It's pretty similar to how Matsui got sidelined and gradually stopped being used.
Zero homers in 110 at-bats is just not normal.
Re: #53
Apparently it's a first in DH history — truly a unicorn 🦄, huh 😤
Apparently it's a first in DH history — truly a unicorn 🦄, huh 😤
Ohtani
Acuña
PCA
These three are getting absolutely trashed online.
Acuña
PCA
These three are getting absolutely trashed online.
Re: #64
Guerrero got trashed so badly he ended up getting eye surgery,
and Tatis got trashed too but turned it around.
Guerrero got trashed so badly he ended up getting eye surgery,
and Tatis got trashed too but turned it around.
MLB has way too many games — if he's going to keep doing the two-way thing, he should just come back to Japan.
Re: #67
In 7 years, maybe 😉 (a nod to his contract length)
In 7 years, maybe 😉 (a nod to his contract length)
Ohtani's probably hoping they lose, huh.
Re: #70
Yeah, the longer they survive in the playoffs, the more his career postseason stats are going to keep tanking.
Yeah, the longer they survive in the playoffs, the more his career postseason stats are going to keep tanking.
So they finally removed the cursed ornament…
The Dodgers are really serious this time.
The Dodgers are really serious this time.
Re: #80
Turns out it's cursed gear you can't actually unequip!
Turns out it's cursed gear you can't actually unequip!
Amari:
"I talked with Shohei. We had a great conversation. He said firmly
that he's in good enough shape to play. He said his swing is almost back to where it should be.
He wants to help the team, contribute to winning, and help us become champions."
"I talked with Shohei. We had a great conversation. He said firmly
that he's in good enough shape to play. He said his swing is almost back to where it should be.
He wants to help the team, contribute to winning, and help us become champions."
Re: #95
Roberts let it slip that there's apparently some contract clause requiring him to talk things over with Ohtani and get his buy-in before benching him.
So Ohtani really didn't want to be a benchwarmer.
If they lose now, it's entirely on Ohtani.
Roberts let it slip that there's apparently some contract clause requiring him to talk things over with Ohtani and get his buy-in before benching him.
So Ohtani really didn't want to be a benchwarmer.
If they lose now, it's entirely on Ohtani.
Fake news, idiot.
"I talked with Shohei. He has a strong will to play. He's on the verge of figuring something out at the plate. I've got a very good feeling about it too. He wants to contribute to becoming world champions. I'm looking forward to him playing."
https://x.com/Naoto_SANSPO/status/2110153892399104380?s=20
"I talked with Shohei. He has a strong will to play. He's on the verge of figuring something out at the plate. I've got a very good feeling about it too. He wants to contribute to becoming world champions. I'm looking forward to him playing."
https://x.com/Naoto_SANSPO/status/2110153892399104380?s=20
Re: #96
Somebody tell Shohei that the best contribution he can make to this team right now is NOT playing…
Somebody tell Shohei that the best contribution he can make to this team right now is NOT playing…
It's a fact that the team doesn't get energized and morale doesn't rise unless Ohtani is hitting.
Back when he was casually smashing leadoff homers in the first inning like it was nothing, the lineup had momentum and they were winning.
His teammates got used to assuming Ohtani would homer as a matter of course, which let them relax at the plate and produce good results themselves — so there's no doubt that something negative kicks in once Ohtani stops hitting.
That's exactly why Betts is the most worried about Ohtani's condition, and has even said they can't keep advancing without him.
Back when he was casually smashing leadoff homers in the first inning like it was nothing, the lineup had momentum and they were winning.
His teammates got used to assuming Ohtani would homer as a matter of course, which let them relax at the plate and produce good results themselves — so there's no doubt that something negative kicks in once Ohtani stops hitting.
That's exactly why Betts is the most worried about Ohtani's condition, and has even said they can't keep advancing without him.
Re: #104
They were winning plenty even during stretches when Ohtani wasn't injured, though.
They were winning plenty even during stretches when Ohtani wasn't injured, though.
*This article is compiled from excerpts and a summary of the 5ch (Live Broadcast G) thread “[Breaking] Ohtani Benched, DePaula to Start at DH.”
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