Why This Topic Landed in Japan
Ohtani and Imanaga remain high-attention sports figures in Japan, so any ranking or win becomes a natural discussion point. Conforto's revival added a second layer: Japanese MLB fans used it to debate whether the Dodgers' hitting environment had contributed to his earlier struggles.
Key Reaction Themes
- Japanese-player pride — Imanaga and Ohtani's performance anchored the topic.
- Conforto surprise — Fans were amused and confused that a former Dodgers disappointment suddenly looked revived.
- Dodgers hitting philosophy — Comments questioned power-first approaches and whether coaching affected multiple hitters.
What Japanese Netizens Are Saying
- "I never thought Conforto would come back like this. This is what I wanted when the Dodgers got him, so why did it turn out that way?"
- "Conforto awakened because last year's manager kept believing in him. Roberts: 'Wait, he wakes up now?'"
- "So the Cubs basically got a new Kyle Tucker without paying $60 million?"
- "Their GM is a genius."
- "This really makes me think the Dodgers' hitting coach is the problem. Isn't Tucker's slump the same thing?"
- "Meanwhile, the Dodgers let Conforto go and got another Conforto."
- "Conforto, why..."
- "Conforto did hit safely in seven straight games from opening day with the Dodgers, so he was good at first."
- "Comparing a hitter with 36 at-bats to one with 139 at-bats is unfair."
- "He's doing well, but the sample is still way too small."
- "This is Conforto: a smooth bat path."
- "I wonder about the Dodgers' all-swinging lineup."