Dodgers’ Mookie Betts has perfect response to Shohei Ohtani criticism
Mookie Betts defended teammate Shohei Ohtani amid criticism regarding his offensive performance this season. While Ohtani's batting average has dipped, his pitching remains exceptional, boasting a league-best ERA. Betts emphasized the importance of recognizing Ohtani's overall contributions to the game beyond just hitting.
- ▪Shohei Ohtani is facing criticism for his offensive numbers, hitting .265 with an .850 OPS.
- ▪Despite the criticism, Ohtani has an impressive 0.82 ERA and has allowed only four earned runs this season.
- ▪Mookie Betts highlighted that Ohtani's impact on the game extends beyond his batting, as he also excels on the mound.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
MLB Dodgers’ Mookie Betts has perfect response to Shohei Ohtani criticism By Ryan Anderson Published May 20, 2026, 12:31 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google Shohei Ohtani’s insane expectations are becoming nearly impossible to satisfy. The Dodgers superstar hasn’t been his usual dominant self at the plate this season, hitting .265 with an .850 OPS. Those numbers would be considered above average for most players, but surprisingly modest for a four-time MVP. As a result, criticism has started to surface around Ohtani’s offensive production. But teammate Mookie Betts believes people are missing the bigger picture entirely. “That’s what I see now.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.
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