Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has confirmed that Shohei Ohtani will remain in the starting lineup for Game 3 of the NLCS. The decision comes despite Ohtani's significant postseason slump and ongoing physical struggles.
A .150 average and the longest home run drought of Ohtani's career
Shohei Ohtani is currently enduring a historic offensive collapse, hitting just .150 with only three hits in 20 at-bats during the postseason. According to the New York Post, the four-time MVP has failed to record a single extra-base hit or RBI in 24 plate appearances,a stark contrast to his usual dominance. This slump is highlighted by a homerless streak dating back to August 18, which represents the longest single-season home run drought of the superstar's career.
The decline in production is not limited to the playoffs. Since August 19, Shohei Ohtani has struggled with a .157 batting average and a strikeout rate approaching 35%. The Los Angeles Dodgers have seen their primary slugger transform into a "slap hitter" in October,a trend exemplified by a failed bunt attempt in the sixth inning of the Game 2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Left knee and right arm ailments weighed against Ohtani's conviction
The decision to keep Shohei Ohtani in the lineup followed a high-level meeting between manager Dave Roberts, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, and general manager Brandon Gomes. As reported by the New York Post, Roberts spoke with Ohtani on Tuesday regarding persistent injuries to his left knee and right arm—ailments that previously required an injured list stint for his biceps late in the regular season.
Despite these physical setbacks, Shohei Ohtani expressed strong conviction through his interpreter, Will Ireton, that he is making mechanical adjustments to his swing. Ohtani has taken full responsibility for his poor October performance, insisting that his physical symptoms are not the primary reason for his inability to hit. Dave Roberts stated that Ohtani's adamant belief that he can help the Los Angeles Dodgers win was the deciding factor in keeping him in the Game 3 lineup.
Why 21-year-old Josue De Paula was the alternative
The possibility of benching a living legend suggests the depth of the crisis faing the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to reporting from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo, rookie Josue De Paula was the primary candidate to replace Shohei Ohtani in the batting order. De Paula, a top prospect, entered the major leagues in September and brings significant power, having hit 27 home runs across 124 games in Double A this season.
Replacing a global icon with a 21-year-old rookie would have been a drastic shift in team philosophy. While Josue De Paula offers fresh legs and raw power, Dave Roberts opted to trust the experience and legacy of Shohei Ohtani, even as the slugger's lineup position had already been dropped to fifth in a previous NLDS game against the Atlanta Braves—his loest spot since 2020.
The 2-0 deficit against the Milwaukee Brewers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently in a precarious position, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 in the series after a 7-4 loss on Monday, October 12, 2026. This marks the first time since the 2023 NLDS that the Dodgers have fallen into a 2-0 hole in a postseason series, putting immense pressure on the team as the series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3.
The struggle to generate offense is a recurring theme for the Los Angeles Dodgers in this series. While the team has historically won the opening game in seven of its last eight playoff series,the current deficit against the Milwaukee Brewers leaves them with almost no margin for error if they hope to reach their third consecutive World Series.
Whether Ohtani's 'mechanical' fix can survive the NLCS pressure
A critical uncertainty remains regarding whether Shohei Ohtani's claimed mechanical breakthrough is a reality or a product of desperation. While Ohtani insists he is "onto something ," the data shows he has not squared up a ball since a 105.4 mph single in Game 1 of the NLDS. It remains unverified if the Los Angeles Dodgers' medical staff believes the left knee and right arm injuries are truly irrelevant to his current lack of power.
Furthermore , the source reports only the perspective of the Dodgers' management and Ohtani himself; there is no independent analysis provided on whether the Milwaukee Brewers' pitching staff has specifically decoded Ohtani's current approach. if the mechanical fix fails in Game 3, Dave Roberts may be forced to pivot to Josue De Paula regardless of Ohtani's conviction.
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