The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the brand new week sitting at 11-6, a good document for any staff, however not fairly what followers anticipated from a roster stacked with stars and carrying a $400 million payroll.
After an explosive begin that included an 8-0 run, the Dodgers have since dropped a trio of video games, and concern is constructing within the fanbase over what’s out of the blue gone incorrect.
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Is Shohei Ohtani beneath a curse?
One identify getting probably the most scrutiny is Shohei Ohtani.
The 2-way famous person has hit a tough patch on the plate, struggling to supply in key moments.
The droop has coincided with the Dodgers’ go to to the White Home earlier this month, and a few followers, half-joking, half-serious, are actually pointing to the so-called “Trump Curse” as a attainable rationalization.
The Trump Curse is a tongue-in-cheek principle that gained traction through the former president’s time in workplace, with some MLB fanbases blaming underperforming stretches on a staff’s affiliation with Donald Trump.
Now, after Ohtani was seen shaking palms with the Commander in Chief on the White Home through the Dodgers’ celebratory go to, followers are suggesting the curse could have adopted him again to Los Angeles.
Ohtani went hitless with three strikeouts within the Dodgers’ latest collection in opposition to the Cubs, an uncharacteristic exhibiting for the sometimes dominant slugger.
The staff has now misplaced back-to-back collection, and a few on-line are blaming the timing of the White Home go to.
One fan even referenced “#TheCurseOfTheFatOrange” as a scapegoat for the staff’s slide.
Whereas fan theories run wild, there are some grounded causes for concern.
Ohtani has skilled early-season slumps earlier than, notably hitting simply .230 in April 2024, a dip from his ordinary requirements.
Nonetheless, this season’s gradual begin, with no dwelling runs over his previous few video games, has followers particularly uneasy.
Including to the uncertainty is Ohtani’s delayed return to the mound.
Anticipated again by Could following elbow surgical procedure, Ohtani has resumed throwing bullpen classes, however his full return to pitching stays unclear.
The Dodgers are taking a cautious strategy, balancing his rehab together with his day-to-day worth as a hitter.
Regardless of the latest dip, Ohtani continues to be batting .273 with 4 dwelling runs and 4 stolen bases.
Because the Dodgers put together to face the Colorado Rockies, all eyes shall be on whether or not the star slugger can shake off his droop, and if the so-called curse is only a short-term fan fiction.
