Dave Roberts: Shohei Ohtani Facing ‘Big’ Start Against Reds

Shohei Ohtani is set to make his next pitching start on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Dodgers go for a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds.

The two-way star is coming off his worst outing of the season against the Colorado Rockies, which saw Ohtani allow five runs on nine hits in four-plus innings of work.

Ohtani was expected to get through five innings in each of his last two starts, but fell short of that goal on both occasions.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wants to see the three-time MVP clear that hurdle when he takes the mound against the Reds.

“It’s big,” manager Dave Roberts said of Ohtani’s start on Wednesday. “And also, when you’re going through a six-man, it’s not a piggyback situation. Shohei understands that, so to be able to get him through five innings and shorten the game is important.

“Whether it’s the dehydration or the altitude, but [Wednesday] is going to be a nice afternoon. I expect him to go out there and get through five innings.”

Ohtani’s start against the Reds will be his 11th as a pitcher this season. He has shown glimpses of brilliance, but is just 0-1 with a 4.61 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 11.5 strikeouts per nine in 27.1 innings.

Dodgers have Shohei Ohtani on innings limit

The Dodgers have taken a firm stance that Ohtani will not go more than five innings in a start at any point this season.

“It’s not easy when you’re in it and you’re competing, but he’s just such a valuable player to us offensively and as a pitcher,” Roberts recently said of the limitation in place.

“So to kind of push for an extra inning, or call it five extra innings in totality, it’s not worth it. There’s just way too much downside instead of staying the course.

“We all feel comfortable with our plan right now.”