Shohei Ohtani will stay in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, even though he has struggled recently at the plate and is dealing with knee and biceps injuries. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the choice on Tuesday as the Dodgers try to bounce back from a 2-0 hole in the best-of-seven series.
Ohtani has produced only three hits in 20 at-bats during this postseason, raising doubts about whether he can help the defending champions change their luck. Still, the Japanese star is set on playing, and Roberts stays confident that his swing is near to coming around.
Dave Roberts supports Ohtani for the Dodgers lineup
Roberts shared that Ohtani had made it clear he felt prepared to start Wednesday’s game at Dodger Stadium. The manager also thinks the designated hitter is close to making the right adjustments at the plate.
“He’s adamant he feels good enough to be in there. He’s close to finding something with his swing. I feel great about it,” Roberts said. He added that Ohtani wanted to help the Dodgers win both the game and the championship, calling their conversation a positive one.
The choice comes after Monday’s Game 2 loss, following which Roberts said the team would talk about Ohtani’s role. His recent showings have caused worry, with off-balance swings and softer contact underlining the problems he has dealt with while managing his injuries.
Ohtani’s batting issues and injury worries
Ohtani’s postseason numbers show his present troubles. He is 3-for-20 in the playoffs and has gone 11-for-70, with a .157 batting average and no home runs, over his last 24 games going back to August 18. He also spent 12 days on the injured list in September and has managed only one hit in eight plate appearances during the NLCS.
The 32-year-old took responsibility for his poor results, speaking through an interpreter on Tuesday. “The results – I take full responsibility,” he said, noting that he was weighing different ways to reduce his symptoms, lessen the pain, and improve his swing mechanics.
Ohtani said his symptoms had gotten much better during his time on the injured list, but getting his swing back on track was still a work in progress. He has been trying different adjustments and sensations each day as he works to regain consistency at the plate.
Dodgers weigh alternatives as offense struggles
Los Angeles has another choice at designated hitter in Josue De Paula, one of the organisation’s top prospects. The 21-year-old reached base 21 times in 11 regular-season games and has made three pinch-hit appearances in key postseason spots, drawing two walks.
The possible alternative comes as the Dodgers look for a way to create more offense against Milwaukee. Through the first two NLCS games, Los Angeles has managed only nine singles and one double, leaving the team having trouble scoring as the series slips away from them.
Even with Ohtani’s current form, Brewers manager Pat Murphy cautioned against underestimating what the star can do. Remembering Ohtani’s performance against Milwaukee at the same stage last year, Murphy pointed to his remarkable ability and the threat he can pose when at his best.
NLCS Game 3 puts pressure on the Dodgers
Ohtani’s disappointing postseason form stands in contrast to a regular season in which he hit .275/.377/.512, with 30 home runs. Although those numbers would be an excellent campaign for many players, they were below his usual standards.
He also pitched 85⅔ innings with a 1.79 ERA before his injuries disrupted his season. Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 and will not return to the mound during this postseason, making his contribution at the plate especially important to the Dodgers’ hopes.
Los Angeles now faces a major challenge after falling two games behind Milwaukee. Historically, teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series have gone on to win it 83% of the time, increasing the importance of Wednesday’s matchup at Dodger Stadium.