Blue Jays Adjust Strategy to Contend with Ohtani

The Toronto Blue Jays are determined to keep Los Angeles Dodgers' superstar Shohei Ohtani from becoming a game-defining factor in the World Series. Following a gripping 6-5 defeat in an 18-inning marathon on Monday, Blue Jays manager John Schneider revealed their approach moving forward: minimizing Ohtani's influence at the plate.

In Game 3, Ohtani showcased his remarkable talent by reaching base all nine times he appeared, going 4-for-4 with five walks—four of which were intentional. His performance was a significant highlight, especially his game-tying homer off Seranthony Domínguez in the seventh inning, showcasing why he’s a three-time MVP.

Schneider shared insights about the game's pivotal moments during his postgame press conference, emphasizing the adjustments they might implement against Ohtani: "You trust [reliever Seranthony Dominguez] to make pitches. Sometimes for pitchers, it's hard to do that when you're trying to throw a ball, and he didn't put it where you want to put it. [Ohtani] had a great game, he's a great player, but after that, you just kind of take the bat out of his hands." This strategy aims to prevent Ohtani from turning the game in the Dodgers' favor.

Despite an earlier rough patch in the playoffs, Ohtani has been on fire lately, going 9-for-15 with six homers and seven walks in his last four games. However, this tactic of placing him on base guarantees that at least one of his powerful teammates, Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman, will get a chance to bat with a runner on. This puts the Blue Jays at a disadvantage when facing the rest of a formidable Dodgers lineup.

Freeman's walk-off homer in the bottom of the 18th sealed the victory for the Dodgers, but now the Blue Jays must consider their options carefully. As the teams prepare for Game 4 on Tuesday, Ohtani will also take the mound for Los Angeles, putting Schneider's tactics to the test right from the start as Ohtani leads off in the bottom of the first inning.