The Los Angeles Dodgers face a precarious Shohei Ohtani problem as they fight to stay alive in their NLCS matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers. Hampered by knee and biceps injuries, Ohtani remains mired in a massive slump. The four-time MVP is batting 3-for-20 with no extra-base hits and seven strikeouts this postseason and hasn't hit a home run since Aug. 18.
After losing both games in Milwaukee, Dave Roberts said he would consider benching Ohtani when the NLCS shifted to LA. However, the Dodgers manager won't make that drastic move in Game 3. Roberts told reporters Tuesday that he will keep Ohtani in the lineup after the superstar insisted he was healthy enough to turn the corner.
"He was adamant that he can help us," Roberts said, per ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. "He's well enough to help us win a baseball game. So that's all I needed to hear.
I've never wavered in my belief in him." Ohtani said through an interpreter that his injuries have "subdued a lot" since returning from the injured list in late September. "The symptoms shouldn't be the reason why I can't hit," Ohtani said. "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." Benching a generational player with the season on the line is certainly risky, but the Dodgers are running out of time for Ohtani to get right. He's gone nine straight games without an extra-base hit or RBI and is hitting .156 in his last 24 games without going deep.
Roberts moved Ohtani from leadoff to cleanup in both games in Milwaukee, so it'll be interesting to see if he drops the star slugger any further. Game 3 starts Wednesday at 8 p.m.
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