MLB》Shohei Otani paid a heavy price for his two injuries. The US media criticized the Dodgers for not properly managing the injury.

Shohei Ohtani. (File photo, Associated Press)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] Dodge's Japanese second-string superstar Shohei Ohtani got over his slump in the 4th game of the National League Championship Series today. He hit a 3-pointer to end a 116-game home run drought. However, he still could not help the team win the game and lost to the Brewers 4:6. The series was swept in 4 games. US media believe that Shohei Ohtani's sluggish performance in the playoffs became one of the main reasons why the Dodgers' dream of three consecutive championships was shattered.

Shohei Ohtani was affected by injuries in the second half of this year and was unable to pitch. He fell into a serious slump in the playoffs. He only scored 5 hits in 26 at-bats, contributed 1 home run and 3 RBIs. He also had the only 1 long hit and 1 stolen base. His hitting measurements were only .192/.323/.308, and his OPS was a miserable 0.631.

Ohtani's hitting performance this season is very different from last year. In 2025, he knocked out 8 homers and OPS was as high as 1.096. "California Post" reporter Jack Harris said that the Dodgers made mistakes in handling Ohtani's injury this season and paid an extremely heavy price.

Harris pointed out that Shohei Ohtani's talent on the pitcher's mound is undoubted, but for a long time, the greatest value he has brought to the Dodgers has always been as a hitter. However, this season's attempt to use two tools throughout the season has caused him to lose his most important ability.

Harris believes that Ohtani and the Dodgers failed to better manage his health this season, which has become the most regrettable thing after the failure of this third consecutive championship challenge. Besides Ohtani, the team has had other hitters slump, but had he been healthy and intact, he would have been the player most capable of making a huge impact.

Shohei Ohtani made it clear in an interview after the game that he will continue to challenge the second-hand style next season and hopes to make a comeback in the 2027 season.