The Los Angeles Dodgers have cruised out to a 16-7 record to begin the 2026 campaign, which is tied with the San Diego Padres for the best mark in the entire league. The Dodgers once again have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal, with their biggest weapon being two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.
While Ohtani’s play on the field speaks for itself, his presence on Los Angeles’ roster provides the team with an advantage in more ways than one. Since he acts as both a pitcher and a hitter, the Dodgers get to carry an extra pitcher on their roster. Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell recently took issue with that rule, prompting a stern response from L.A.’s manager, Dave Roberts.
Craig Counsell, Dave Roberts Beef Over Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani is essentially the baseball version of a unicorn. Not only is he a ferocious slugger at the plate, but he’s also one of the best starting pitchers in the league when he can stay healthy. Ohtani’s ability to contribute in both facets of the game makes him a true rarity in the modern MLB, as no other player can make the sort of impact that the Japanese superstar makes.
Since he’s technically listed as a position player, the Dodgers can carry an extra pitcher on their roster, which has allowed them to employ a six-man starting rotation to begin the year. As if Los Angeles needed another leg up on the competition, his two-way abilities have allowed Roberts to tinker with his pitching staff in a way no other manager can.
Counsell recently called out the rule, as he said L.A. should not be able to benefit in another way from Ohtani’s ability to operate as both a hitter and a pitcher. Roberts quickly fired back at Counsell, as he challenged the Cubs, or any other team in the majors, to go out and find their own version of Ohtani.
“The thing is, it certainly benefits us because we have the player,” Robers said, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. “We’re more than willing for other teams to go out and find a player who can do both. He’s an exception because he’s an exceptional player. It is what it is.”
Dodgers Preparing for Test Series vs. Cubs
GettyManager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium on March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Given how much winning the Dodgers have done in recent years, they have become public enemy No. 1 in the league. And yet, that’s a role that the team has become comfortable embracing. Los Angeles is notorious for doing whatever it takes to assemble a superteam on a yearly basis, and they have continually challenged teams to keep pace with them.
To this point, nobody has managed to dethrone them as the best team in the league over the past few years, and that trend appears to be continuing early this season. L.A. is finishing up a series against the San Francisco Giants currently, but once it does, it will turn its attention to a three-game set against a Chicago team that likely won’t be too happy to see them.
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