Dave Roberts Considers Benching Shohei Ohtani for Game 3

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will evaluate superstar Shohei Ohtani’s playing status for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series following a 7-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers that left the team facing a 2-0 series deficit.

The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in unfamiliar territory after dropping the first two games of the National League Championship Series to the Milwaukee Brewers. As the series shifts to Dodger Stadium, manager Dave Roberts is weighing a radical lineup decision regarding superstar designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani has struggled significantly at the plate over the past two months, battling lingering right biceps and left knee injuries that landed him on the 15-day injured list in September. Following a 0-for-4 performance with two strikeouts in Game 2, Roberts acknowledged that a change may be necessary to spark the offense.

“Yeah, I mean obviously it hasn’t been good. He doesn’t feel great. I think for me, it’s having a conversation with him tomorrow, kind of try to figure out what’s best for him, what’s best for us. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it.”

Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager, via The Athletic

The slump dates back to August. Ohtani has not homered since August 18 at Coors Field and has driven in just one run since. Over his last 35 games in the regular season and postseason, he is hitting .197 with a .629 OPS. In the current postseason across six games and 23 plate appearances, Ohtani is batting .150 with no extra-base hits, seven strikeouts, and three walks.

Before manager Dave Roberts turned to his bullpen earlier than anticipated in Game 2, starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was pulled after managing only eight outs and throwing 75 pitches, which included a taxing twelve-pitch third-inning battle with Jake Bauers that loaded the bases ahead of Christian Yelich’s run-scoring single. Later in the contest, relief pitcher Kris Bubic surrendered a home run to William Contreras that brought the score even at four runs apiece.

Josue De Paula Stands Ready as the Top Replacement Option

If the Dodgers decide to remove Ohtani from the starting lineup, rookie Josue De Paula is the primary candidate to take over at designated hitter. De Paula, ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 overall prospect, was promoted directly from Double-A Tulsa in September when Ohtani went down with injuries.

During his brief regular-season audition, De Paula reached base in half of his 42 plate appearances. While the Dodgers have kept him off the field defensively due to inexperience in the outfield, he has contributed off the bench in October. He has pinch-hit three times this postseason, drawing two crucial walks including one that sparked a rally in the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.

Collective Offensive Struggles compound Ohtani’s Slump

While Ohtani’s individual struggles have drawn intense scrutiny, the broader Dodgers offense has sputtered against the Brewers’ pitching staff.

The team is currently 2-for-26 with runners in scoring position during the postseason. Teammates remain publicly supportive of Ohtani as the leadership group weighs its options ahead of Wednesday’s matchup.

“We’re all still behind him. He knows we’re all still behind him. He’s going to get a big hit for us. I know that. I can tell you right now he’s going to get a big hit for us at some point, and that’s going to turn things.”

Max Muncy, Dodgers Third Baseman, via ESPN

Any formal decision regarding Ohtani’s status will involve Roberts, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, and Ohtani himself during Tuesday’s scheduled workout in Los Angeles.