Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Sends Shohei Ohtani Message As Concerns Mount

BusinessSportsMoneyDodgers’ Mookie Betts Sends Shohei Ohtani Message As Concerns MountByPeter Chawaga,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Chawaga is a writer and editor covering Major League Baseball.Follow AuthorMay 20, 2026, 09:00am EDTHOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 04: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers stands in the dugout in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on May 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Dodgers might be surprised to find themselves locked in such a tight battle for the National League Division lead with the San Diego Padres.While the Padres have been one of the better teams in all of baseball in recent years and have enjoyed a healthy rivalry with the Dodgers, the two-time reigning World Series champions made significant improvements to their roster this past winter that seemed to put them in a league of their own.By bringing in All-Star closer Edwin Diaz and five-tool superstar Kyle Tucker on top of their star-studded roster, the Dodgers seemed to be a virtual lock for a third straight title. But as the season has unfolded, they appear to have some weaknesses, including a less-than-Herculean version of Shohei Ohtani at the plate.“It's so far been a down year at the plate for Ohtani, who's hitting .240 with a .796 OPS,” Ryan Morik wrote for Fox News. “Not including the truncated 2020 season, those would be the lowest marks of his career.”ForbesBlue Jays’ Bo Bichette Replacement Send 4-Word Yankees MessageBy Peter ChawagaLos Angeles Dodgers’ Superstar Mookie Betts Offers 6-Word Response On Shohei Ohtani StrugglesThough Ohtani has been relatively quiet at the plate, he is enjoying a resurgent season on the mound. And as the two-way superstar carries the Dodgers’ rotation while still contributing with his bat — albeit somewhat below his own prolific standards — his teammate Mookie Betts went on the record to def...