The Los Angeles Dodgers were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, and Shohei Ohtani had a series to forget.
Ohtani did not pitch after the All-Star Break, and as a hitter, he stumbled down the stretch. He came through with the Dodgers' first home run of the NLCS in the second inning of Game 4, a no-doubt three-run shot to fill Dodger Stadium with hope. However, his following at-bats were not so kind to him, and the Brewers chipped away until they took the lead.
For much of the year, Ohtani was an MVP candidate, making a strong case to win the National League Cy Young Award as well. He had a 1.79 ERA through 14 starts, going at least six innings in all but one of his starts. However, biceps and knee injuries ended his season as a pitcher and clearly impacted him as a hitter. Now that the season is over, he can heal, but he still has to decide whether he wants to put himself in the same position next year as a two-way player.
"Yes, definitely," Ohtani said when asked if he plans to continue as a two-way player next season. "I'm looking forward to having a better season next year."
Ohtani has already made his decision when it comes to pitching. He is being paid like a two-way player, and he wants to continue as one. When he was on the mound this year, he was sensational, while also making waves with his bat.
Unfortunately, injuries ruined what was shaping up to be one of the greatest seasons of all time. Ohtani noted that he is going to work hard in the offseason and try to figure out what the best way for him to be a two-way player is in terms of health.