Shohei Ohtani will stay in the starting lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday night, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed, despite an October hitting slump and lingering injuries to his left knee and right arm.
Ohtani went hitless with two strikeouts in Game 2, bringing his postseason batting average to .150 through six games with no extra-base hits and seven strikeouts. The decision follows an off-day workout in Los Angeles, ending speculation prompted by the team’s 2-0 series deficit against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Manager Dave Roberts Confirms Ohtani Stays in the Game 3 Lineup
Dodgers leadership faced pressure following Monday’s 7-4 loss at American Family Field, where Ohtani’s struggles culminated in a sixth-inning at-bat that began with a showing of bunt and ended with him swinging through an out-of-zone sweeper and losing his bat. In postgame comments, Roberts acknowledged that benching the superstar was weighed before reaffirming his trust following a meeting with the slugger.
“He was adamant that he can help us, he’s well enough to help us win a baseball game. So that’s all I needed to hear.”
Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers manager
Roberts noted that Ohtani feels close to finding something with his swing and expressed total backing as the team prepares to face Milwaukee left-hander Robert Gasser in Game 3. Roberts mentioned that the slugger could bat anywhere from second to sixth in the order, having previously shared the leadoff role with Mookie Betts before moving to the fourth and fifth spots starting with Game 3 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.
Shohei Ohtani Takes Full Responsibility for Postseason Slump
Speaking to reporters at Dodger Stadium through interpreter Will Ireton, Ohtani addressed his recent lack of offensive production head-on without leaning on his physical ailments as an excuse. The two-way star has not homered since August 18, has driven in only one run since, and finished the regular season going 11-for-70 with 29 strikeouts and just three extra-base hits.
Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani will be in the Dodgers' lineup for Game 3 of the NLCS tomorrow
“The symptoms shouldn’t be the reason why I can’t hit, and even if the injuries happen by accident, I take full responsibility. I take that as an opportunity for me to just take full responsibility for it. Today it’s going to be another process for me to tinker and try new things.”
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter
Ohtani admitted that his swing remains a daily process of trying different things and different feels.
Ohtani Struggles Against High Velocity in October
Data shows a drop-off in performance against velocity, with the average October fastball reaching 96.2 mph, as he has gone 3-for-20 with three walks and seven strikeouts in the postseason.
Analyses of specific at-bats point to the change: in the third inning of Game 2, Ohtani grounded out weakly to third base.
Historical Postseason Odds Facing the Defending Champions
The Dodgers enter Wednesday night’s matchup against the Brewers needing four wins before Milwaukee takes two, facing historical headwinds that stretch back decades. Historically in MLB play, clubs dropping the first two games of a best-of-seven series away from home—just as Los Angeles has—have advanced just 15.6% of the time, while the franchise also pursues a rare three-peat last achieved by the New York Yankees between 1998 and 2000 following last year’s seven-game World Series victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
If the club had decided on a lineup change, 21-year-old rookie outfielder Josue De Paula stood ready as the primary fallback option after ranking within the top 25 overall prospects by CBS Sports, MLB.com, Baseball Prospectus, and Baseball America, and slashing .303/.401/.547 in 124 games for Double-A Tulsa.
Instead, Roberts and the front office chose to back their superstar.
🔥 Dave Roberts Believes Shohei Ohtani Is Close to Breaking Through!Ahead of Game 3 of the NLCS, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared an encouraging update on Shohei Ohtani.“He’s adamant that he feels good enough to be in there.”But what Roberts said next was even more… pic.twitter.com/yIsuE6CVlh
“At the end of the day, in this big moment, we’re listening to Shohei. We’re going to support the crap out of him and believe in him, and that’s it.”
Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers manager
Following last year’s seven-game World Series victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, the franchise pursues a rare three-peat last achieved by the New York Yankees between 1998 and 2000.