NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: METS VS DODGERS

October 15, 2024

Shohei Ohtani

Citi Field

Los Angeles Dodgers

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. I know you've said before, men on base, bases empty, that your approach hasn't changed. But do you feel that you're getting pitched to any differently in those two situations? And if so, do you think maybe moving down the order might help that problem at all?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Regardless of however they are pitching to me, my plan is to stay with the same approach, as much as possible and not really be too focused on how they attack me.

In terms of the lineup, that is not my job to consider. I'm going to be as flexible as possible regardless of any situation or anywhere in the lineup that I am placed in.

Q. Mookie's been open about how sometimes he doubts himself when he's not performing at the level that he expects from himself. Do you ever have that self-doubt?

SHOHEI OHTANI: What I really focus on is how I play at the plate. If I'm feeling good and the results aren't there, then I'm not too concerned because there's luck involved.

Now, if there's a situation where I don't feel good at the plate and I'm not doing well, or it's not leading to good results, then it's something that I look into to make sure physically, mechanically, making sure that that's all fine tuned.

Q. Both the Padres and the Mets have shifted against you with the third baseman over in the shortstop spot. We've seen you shoot ground balls to left field this year. Have you thought about doing that at all or will that mess up your approach more?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Just really situational. If it makes sense for me to go the other way, with the game circumstance and if that's what the team needs, then that's something I would consider.

Q. Dave said one of the things he's seen from you lately is maybe expanding the strike zone too much and swinging at pitches out of the zone. Do you think that's part of the root of some of the struggles recently, and how do you fix that?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Rather than my strike zone management, I'm more concerned when I swing at pitches, whether that's a foul or a pop fly. That's something that I'm more focused on rather than the actual strike zone management.

Q. What's the difference in experience for you in this postseason compared to the WBC experience? And do you ever lean back on that, thinking about the WBC helping you through this?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I do feel that the playoff format is the same regardless of the WBC or this current postseason run. I do feel like it's different in the sense where this postseason run, we've been playing with the same teammates and in front of the same fans.

And playing in this format after playing a long season is different than playing in a team that was gathered all into one. So I do feel like that there are some parts that different, some parts that are similar.

Q. Some of the very best players -- Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Aaron Judge -- have had bumpy times during the playoffs. Is there a tendency to put too much pressure on yourself in this just because of the reputation and what you've accomplished? Because there are some very accomplished players that have had bumpy starts to the playoffs as well.

SHOHEI OHTANI: I'm not quite sure if I'm at the same -- hard for me to say if I'm at the same standard as the players you mentioned. Again, this is my first experience in the postseason, so I can't really rely on the experiences or my reflection in the past.

But what I do know is that we've been playing against good teams, better teams, with their best pitchers. So being able to get base hits, put up results isn't as easy maybe as it could be.

And so with that being said, my focus really is on just whatever happened in the previous game, that's it. And I'm really focused on the next game and something that perhaps I would reflect back once everything is over.

Q. Where do you feel like your swing is at right now? Is there anything in specific that you feel you're working on or working through when it comes to the actual swing itself?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I do feel okay at the plate. I do feel like I should recall back to the times when I feel good and perhaps incorporate that into it.

Q. A lot of people consider Francisco Lindor the runner-up to you for the MVP in the regular season. What are your impressions of him as a player and just the impact that he's had for their team this season and during the series?

SHOHEI OHTANI: My impression of him is that he's a really good guy. He smiles a lot. I do feel like he's leading the club as well.

And I think both of us are in this position where what we did in the regular season is over and what matters is how we produce, what we produce during the postseason. I do think we're perhaps connected in the same sense.