The Los Angeles Dodgers face a dilemma, though it is an enviable one. Shohei Ohtani returns from the injured list on Wednesday, and in his absence, Mookie Betts has been performing at a superstar level. The question now is which batter gets the leadoff spot.
The Dodgers have used Ohtani as their leadoff hitter throughout the entire season. A biceps problem forced him to miss just over a week, spending time on the 15-day IL. On Tuesday, manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani will come off the injured list and return to action on Wednesday.
While Ohtani was out, Betts stepped up to take his turn at the plate first. He made the most of the opportunity, producing a strong offensive output across four games. Betts collected 9 hits in 16 at-bats, including four doubles, two home runs and six RBIs. That level of production is precisely what the Dodgers were hoping for when they placed Betts in the leadoff spot to begin with.
Betts Finds His Stride
This month’s numbers speak for themselves. Betts has posted a slash line of .373/.468/.746, including 13 extra-base hits and 20 RBIs across 17 games. The Dodgers had hoped for this level of output from him since his rough season.
The manager’s choice of who bats first has grown harder because of how well he has hit lately. He has opened the batting order just six times this year, yet his work in September alone stands out.
Ohtani’s Recent Struggles
A strong argument exists for keeping Betts in the leadoff spot, particularly against specific matchups. Ohtani has had real trouble lately. His numbers show it: he is hitting .139/.262/.222 with just two extra-base hits and no RBIs over his last nine games.
It is a difficult run for a hitter of his quality. The Dodgers, however, possess considerable leeway due to the strength of their entire batting order. Their standing also grants them some margin for error. Los Angeles arrives at Wednesday’s contest with a 97-60 record, comfortably in first place in the National League West and trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by just one game for the top mark in the circuit.
The Platoon Option
On Tuesday, Roberts confirmed “as of now,” Ohtani will reclaim the leadoff spot. He did not rule out a platoon at the top of the order, though, admitting the Dodgers are weighing that option.
The plan calls for Ohtani to hit first against right-handed pitchers, with Betts moving into the top spot against left-handers. It is a clever idea, one that allows both stars to play to their strengths without forcing either to sit.
What the Decision Comes Down To
Wednesday brings the second game of a three-game set between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, with five regular-season contests still to be played. Ohtani’s return could add a significant lift for Los Angeles, though it leaves Roberts with an interesting choice at the top of his lineup.
The real issue here is which batter gets to hit first. Ohtani holds the role of leadoff hitter, a position he has long filled for the Dodgers. Betts, meanwhile, has proven his worth whenever he has been allowed to step up to the plate.
The Case for Betts
Betts has stepped up and delivered ever since he moved into the leadoff spot. He has shown that he can handle the pressure of batting first in the lineup with excellence.
The Dodgers are not in peril of failing to reach the postseason. They hold a comfortable lead in their division, and they sit within reach of the top record in the league. This puts Roberts in the position of being able to base his choices on how players perform, rather than having to act out of fear.
The Case for Ohtani
All season long, Ohtani has been the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter, and he has proven himself to be the superior pure leadoff hitter.
The statistics point toward him no longer performing at his former level. His recent difficulties raise the question of whether he remains the best option right now. That is a reasonable question to pose about any player, even one as gifted as Ohtani.
The Decision at Hand
Los Angeles finds itself blessed with two stars who could anchor the lineup, and each of them deserves to hit first. The decision does not come down to which player is more accomplished across his career. Instead, it rests on which of the two is performing better at this moment.
That is a luxury the Dodgers enjoy.
Key Facts Box
– Ohtani missed a little more than a week on the 15-day IL
– Betts went 9-for-16 with four doubles, two homers and six RBIs over four games
– Betts is hitting .373/.468/.746 in September
– Dodgers enter Wednesday at 97-60, leading NL West
– Five games remain in the regular season
| Player | Role | Recent Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Ohtani | Leadoff hitter | .139/.262/.222, two extra-base hits, zero RBIs |
| Betts | Leadoff hitter | .373/.468/.746, 13 extra-base hits, 20 RBIs |
Los Angeles has two options at the top of their order, and both are legitimate choices. Each player carries star power and could anchor the lineup effectively. The Dodgers do not face a question about which player is more talented across their career. The question is simpler: which one is performing better right now.
Source material: “Dodgers have difficult Mookie Betts decision to make,” Yahoo Sports.
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