Shohei Ohtani didn’t ask for leadoff position in Dodgers lineup

The Los Angeles Dodgers finally have their full lineup and everything seems to be clicking for them offensively, with the big three of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman starting every game.

There has been a lot of change in the Dodgers’ lineup this season. They started the year with a strong group that was plagued by injuries and underperforming players at the bottom of the lineup.

Their most significant loss was Mookie Betts, who suffered a broken hand that kept him out for several months. Before that, Betts was the team’s leadoff hitter and spark.

One development that occurred was how comfortable and effective Ohtani was in replacing Betts at the leadoff position. Even when Betts returned, Ohtani remained at the leadoff position, pushing Betts to the second spot in the lineup, a spot he has not batted at often in his career.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the decision was not influenced by Ohtani’s wishes but rather the result of putting together a lineup that gives the Dodgers the best chance to win games.

“Absolutely not. Shohei would hit anywhere,” Roberts said. “So I know Mookie said that, but Shohei said the same thing Mookie said: ‘Wherever you want me to hit, I’ll hit.’ I think for me the game tells us who we have on our roster, as far as Shohei and Freddie.

“It tells me that Shohei needs to take charge and you need to split up those lefties. So I honestly didn’t have to have a conversation with Shohei.”

Betts is aware of the differences between batting second and batting first, but he has made the necessary adjustments and has found success batting behind Ohtani.

Shohei Ohtani sets records from first place

Ohtani had two extra-base hits as the Dodgers opened their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, for his 43rd home run of the season. That came after the superstar prospect also stole his 43rd base, becoming the first player to have that many hits in both categories in the same year.

Additionally, it was the sixth game in August in which Ohtani had at least one home run and one stolen base, tying the MLB record for most such games in a calendar month.

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