Shohei Ohtani Was Not Happy With the Umpire After Two Questionable Strikeouts

Stephen Douglas | May 16, 2024

Shohei Ohtani is so hot right now. MLB's hits, batting average, slugging, and OPS leader is also second in home runs and WAR and tied for the league lead in doubles. In 11 games in May so far he's carrying an absurd slash line of .452/.531/.857 with five home runs. Pitchers are basically helpless against him right now, which is why they will happily accept help from umpires.

That's exactly what happened last night as Ohtani struck out twice on questionable calls. In the top of the third, home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt punched out Ohtani on a pitch that was low and then did it again on a ball outside in the seventh. Ohtani was not please with either call.

ドジャース 大谷翔平
第2打席：三振の判定

Shohei Ohtani Dodgers pic.twitter.com/Vob94nest1

— 【MLB】放送地区 (@MLB_comment) May 16, 2024

ドジャース 大谷翔平
第4打席：三振の判定

AVG.360 OPS1.103

Shohei Ohtani Dodgers pic.twitter.com/VFoTkp0ZYP

— 【MLB】放送地区 (@MLB_comment) May 16, 2024

These are the kinds of calls that a team needs to hold Ohtani to a quiet 2-for-4 night and beat the Dodgers, who are 10-3 in May and currently have the second-best record in the National League. Which in turn is why Ohtani can't really get too mad at borderline calls, even when they're wrong.

The Dodgers are near the top of just about every statistical catgetory. Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez and Will Smith aren't too far behind various league leaders is many offensive categories while Mookie Betts is having only a slightly less impressive season than Ohtani at the plate (.348/.445/.562). Without a few bad calls there might not be anything that can stop this Dodgers' offense.