Dave Roberts Dismisses Kyle Schwarber Influence After Shohei Ohtani Breaks Dodgers Record Again

It now looks like the Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, would have his mouth broken praising Shohei Ohtani. And why not? Be it the post-game presser, interviews, or podcasts, Roberts always gets bombarded with Ohtani questions. All we can say is that’s a good side effect of having a generational talent in the team. And now, just when the Dodgers clinched the series against the Giants, beating them in the third game, Roberts revealed what makes Ohtani special, and no, that’s not his two-way playing skills.

Well, Roberts is on the moon now as the Dodgers clinched their postseason berth for the 13th consecutive time. And what’s more is Ohtani’s grand comeback to the NL MVP race. Notably, he hit his 53rd home run on Saturday, tying him for the NL lead with Kyle Schwarber. And that’s not all, the Japanese superstar sent a 403-foot blast to left field in the sixth inning, marking his 29th homer at Dodger Stadium this season. So, what does Roberts think competing with Schwarber is motivating his phenom?

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The Dodgers manager praised how Ohtani always keeps the team’s interest above his individual records. There are instances when the pitchers intentionally walk him, but that doesn’t deter Ohtani. Rather, he focuses on the loose pitches that go beyond the fence. And home run title? According to Roberts, that’s what comes secondary to Ohtani. Ohtani may or may not win the MVP over Schwarber, but the Japanese phenom isn’t focusing on that.

Ohtani, already a 3x MVP, has a shot at a fourth this year, with Schwarber likely being his main competition. But with the Dodgers closing in on another NL West title, holding a four-game lead over San Diego after Saturday’s win, individual stats aren’t the top priority with just seven games left in the regular season. This is when the Dodgers aim to play their best, and Ohtani’s performance is key.

He steps up when the team needs him, and if that happens to come with a home run title, that’s just a bonus. And what really stands out about Ohtani isn’t just his two-way skills, but it’s how laser-focused he is on helping the team rather than chasing personal records.

Shohei Ohtani is cruising towards his 4th MVP title

Just roam around the Dodgers camp, and you’ll see there’s really no debate with Shohei Ohtani as their pick for this year’s NL MVP. No, it’s not making Kyle Schwarber inferior. He’s also having a terrific season with the Phillies, hitting .243 and 53 HRs. But Ohtani’s impact on both sides of the game sets him apart. Not only has Ohtani crushed 53 homers, but he’s also been strong on the mound, posting a 3.29 ERA over 13 starts and joining his own version of the 50-50 club with 54 Sos to go along with his power at the plate.

So, with three MVPs already under his belt, including last year’s, Ohtani keeps setting new standards without slowing down. And here, the Dodgers manager hopes voters keep that in mind when it’s time to cast their ballots. On paper, there’s absolutely no competition for Ohtani as there’s no second two-way player in the league, but Schwarber’s numbers are too good to just dismiss.

Nevertheless, it’s beyond control to decide if Ohtani will win the MVP or not. But what the Dodgers are planning is floating the idea of Ohtani playing the outfield. This will enable him to be available in relief, finding a way to work around MLB’s DH rules. Hence, after acting as a DH and starting pitcher, Ohtani is set to embrace the bullpen. It’s just another example of what Roberts always says: Ohtani puts the team’s needs first!