Dodgers takeaways: Shohei Ohtani's latest swing, the rotation and more

LOS ANGELES — The talk of the day surrounded triple digits. Not the 103-degree heat at first pitch Sunday at Dodger Stadium, tied for the hottest start in the ballpark’s 62-year history. Instead, the 116.

7 mph rocket off Shohei Ohtani ’s bat, making landfall just barely fair at a projected 450 feet from home plate, captured the temperature-braving crowd of 44,207’s attention. The Los Angeles Dodgers slugger now sits four home runs and four stolen bases from the first 50-50 season in baseball history. Advertisement That, along with a brilliant afternoon from Jack Flaherty , powered the Dodgers’ 4-0 win and another series victory in this gauntlet against prospective postseason hopefuls.



Taking two of three against the Cleveland Guardians inched them closer to an 11th NL West title in 12 seasons. With 19 games to go, their lead is six games. Another milestone remains in front of their minds.

Ohtani nearly slugged his 46th home run of the season on Saturday night, only for the ball to hook just foul. That, Ohtani said, gave him flashbacks after he unleashed on a Tanner Bibee changeup, driving it into the loge level of seats near the right-field foul pole. “I had some doubts because of yesterday,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton.

Dodger Stadium has had 55 440+ ft HR under Statcast (2015), 3rd-fewest of any current MLB park in use that entire span (Petco 52, Oracle 43) Shohei Ohtani already has 8 this season that’s the most 440+ ft HR by any player at Dodger Stadium — Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 8, 2024 He stopped and admired his work, giving himself an additional faux cheer when a replay review upheld the call on the field that Sunday’s blast was fair. “I’ve been here a while but ( Clayton Kershaw ) has been here almost double the amount of time I have,” Max Muncy said. “Even he said he’s never seen a ball go to that spot in this stadium.

That was pretty cool to watch from the dugout. ..

. We were just curious why it was taking so long to look at the replay. Maybe the guys in New York were admiring it just as much as we were.

” The 50-50 feat is not only within striking distance at this point but increasingly possible with every mammoth swing. “I’m trying to be less cognizant of it,” Ohtani said. But it’s there for the taking.

“He cares,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I think he wants to be the best player that’s ever played this game and one way to do that is to do something nobody has ever done, which he has already done, but you also like round numbers.” Knock, knock.

Who's there? Shohei Ohtani's 46th home run, which ties a career high 😤 pic.twitter.com/0rVwgNfHK7 — MLB (@MLB) September 8, 2024 Pressed about whether the Dodgers have enough pitching to survive multiple rounds in October, Andrew Friedman shifted the premise of the question.

“Looking at our team, big picture,” the Dodgers president of baseball operations said this weekend, “I think this is arguably the deepest, most balanced lineup we’ve ever had. I think our pen is as deep and talented as I can remember.” Advertisement And, the group of starters that has seen 12 different pitchers on the injured list (and eight currently on it)? “And,” Friedman said, “right now we’ve got to figure out how to line up our starters.

” It’s the most pressing question for the second consecutive October, with no real clear answers. Yoshinobu Yamamoto ’s return against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday should bring some clarity, though he is far from built up. Tyler Glasnow threw his first bullpen session on Saturday; what the Dodgers can expect from him if and when he returns is unclear.

“It’ll be tough,” Roberts said of carrying two starters who wouldn’t be fully built up. “But honestly it’s nothing we haven’t done all year.” They aren’t rich with alternatives.

Kershaw and Gavin Stone qualify as massive “ifs” at this point. Three of their current four healthy starters have combined for a 5.42 ERA in 157 2/3 innings this season.

The other? Flaherty, who along with the acquisition of relief ace Michael Kopech is looking like one of the most invaluable additions a contender made at this year’s trade deadline. “​​(It’s) stabilizing a rotation that’s been not so stable this season,” Roberts said. Flaherty delivered 7 1/3 scoreless innings in his finest start yet as a Dodger, lowering his season ERA to 2.

86 while stifling the Guardians. “It was a pitching clinic,” Roberts said. A day after a bullpen game, it was a godsend.

It’s fair to wonder what the National League MVP race would look like if not for a stray Dan Altavilla fastball in June. Mookie Betts’ broken hand — the recipient of that fastball — has served as a sliding doors moment of sorts for these Dodgers, reopening the shortstop position along with the leadoff spot in the lineup. Betts hasn’t skipped a beat since returning on Aug.

12. Through 102 plate appearances entering Sunday, he’s hitting .311/.

373/.589 with six home runs. He added a triple in Sunday’s win.

Advertisement “I don’t care about none of that, as long as we win, that’s all I care about,” Betts said. “Again, like I’ve always said, I got to do it when it matters.” The Dodgers are 17-8 in those games.

As Roberts often says of Betts, as he goes, the Dodgers go. Even with Ohtani. “Not a coincidence,” Roberts said this week.

“It’s not. Having somebody behind Shohei I think has helped his plate discipline. Obviously, you can’t pitch around him because you gotta contend with Mookie.

I think having his defense out there has been a benefit as well. “I think as we start playing more meaningful games, teams are gonna make Mookie and Freddie (Freeman) beat them. I still stand by, if Mookie goes, we go.

Teams are just not going to let Shohei beat them. Then it’s up to Shohei to continue to have the discipline that he’s had recently to trust his teammates. I think my point still stands, my opinion.

” (Photo of Shohei Ohtani: John McCoy / Getty Images).