NL DIVISION SERIES: PADRES VS DODGERS

October 10, 2024

Shohei Ohtani

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. This series has been very up and very down. You won last night. How do you keep that level of positive energy going in the clubhouse?

SHOHEI OHTANI: The vibe in the clubhouse was pretty good yesterday. And we were able to bring that over into the game and we played well.

Q. In the beginning of your career, you were a lot more reserved with your emotions, and it seems like this year you've been a lot more open to showing those emotions. I'm curious, what's helped you become more open with showing those emotions on a day-to-day basis?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Playing a regular season game and playing a playoff game is different. And I think a lot of players end up playing with showing their emotions. So I feel like I'm part of that.

Q. You kind of showed those in the WBC when you closed out the game against your former teammate, Mike Trout. And it seems like the big moments, you really enjoy those. Do you feel like you can rise to the occasion when those big moments happen, whether it's in the regular season or here in the postseason?

SHOHEI OHTANI: First and foremost, I'm really focused on winning the game and whatever I can do to help the team win the game. That's something that I really focus on instead of overcomplicating things and thinking besides that.

Q. When you guys reflect on how you all won yesterday, do you have to kind of use that as a blueprint as you guys prepare for tomorrow's game, everything from just the quality of at-bats, hits up and down the lineup, just how you guys won that game?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Yesterday was definitely a team win. Even though we scored early in the game, we were continuing to press for more. And definitely felt that as a team on the offensive side.

On the defensive side of things, I think the bullpen did an amazing job. So we're going to have the same kind of attitude going into the game tomorrow.

Q. Do you ever surprise yourself with the emotions sometimes you've shown in these big games?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I'm not surprised by it. I do think it's part of who I am as well, obviously being respectful and mindful of the opponent. I think it's an important part of the game.

Q. What have you learned about your at-bats against Yu Darvish this season?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Obviously he's a really good pitcher and pitched well against us. I think he's also very crafty as well, so there isn't exactly one specific thing that really stands out.

But personally I'm really excited that he's going to perhaps be facing Yoshinobu and being able to see Darvish potentially.

Q. All your hits in this series have come with guys on base. Is that a coincidence or do you think there's a reason, whether it's you changing your approach or the way they pitch you that that's played out the way that it has?

SHOHEI OHTANI: There's nothing specifically that I'm doing with runners on base versus not. When there's runners on base, obviously there's going to be more pressure on the pitcher, and I think it's been good that I've been able to add onto that. I was able to walk yesterday. So that was really important for me.

Q. On the emotional point, with that play where the ball hit the umpire yesterday, just how frustrating was that? And when you watched it back in the dugout were you upset with the umpire directly or just the way the entire play unfolded?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I totally forgot about it. (Laughter).

Q. Going back to Darvish, how difficult is it to time up a guy with that many pitches and when he was kind of messing with your timing as well with how he delivers the baseball?

SHOHEI OHTANI: He doesn't rely on one plan so in that sense it's for us as hitters, we have to be able to adjust and that's what makes him good and crafty as well.