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The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the new week sitting at 11-6, a respectable record for any team, but not quite what fans expected from a roster stacked with stars and carrying a $400 million payroll.
After an explosive start that included an 8-0 run, the Dodgers have since dropped a trio of games, and concern is building in the fanbase over what's suddenly gone wrong.
Is Shohei Ohtani under a curse?
One name getting the most scrutiny is Shohei Ohtani.
The two-way superstar has hit a rough patch at the plate, struggling to produce in key moments.
The slump has coincided with the Dodgers' visit to the White House earlier this month, and some fans, half-joking, half-serious, are now pointing to the so-called "Trump Curse" as a possible explanation.
The Trump Curse is a tongue-in-cheek theory that gained traction during the former president's time in office, with some MLB fanbases blaming underperforming stretches on a team's association with Donald Trump.
Now, after Ohtani was seen shaking hands with the Commander in Chief at the White House during the Dodgers' celebratory visit, fans are suggesting the curse may have followed him back to Los Angeles.
Ohtani went hitless with three strikeouts in the Dodgers' recent series against the Cubs, an uncharacteristic showing for the typically dominant slugger.
The team has now lost back-to-back series, and some online are blaming the timing of the White House visit.
One fan even referenced "#TheCurseOfTheFatOrange" as a scapegoat for the team's slide.
While fan theories run wild, there are some grounded reasons for concern.
Ohtani has experienced early-season slumps before, notably hitting just .230 in April 2024, a dip from his usual standards.
Still, this season's slow start, with no home runs over his last few games, has fans especially uneasy.
Adding to the uncertainty is Ohtani's delayed return to the mound.
Expected back by May following elbow surgery, Ohtani has resumed throwing bullpen sessions, but his full return to pitching remains unclear.
The Dodgers are taking a cautious approach, balancing his rehab with his day-to-day value as a hitter.
Despite the recent dip, Ohtani is still batting .273 with four home runs and four stolen bases.
As the Dodgers prepare to face the Colorado Rockies, all eyes will be on whether the star slugger can shake off his slump, and if the so-called curse is just a temporary fan fiction.