Slumping Shohei Ohtani is set to bat sixth for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday night. That is the lowest the left-handed hitting Ohtani has batted since joining the Dodgers three years ago on a $700 million, 10-year contract. Manager Dave Roberts said he wanted to sprinkle left- and right-handed hitters throughout the lineup against Milwaukee's left-handed starter Robert Gasser.
"Shohei's all on board," Roberts said before the game. "Whatever it takes to win." The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers trail 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. Ohtani, the designated hitter, is typically atop the order, but Roberts has dropped him lower during a slump that has extended into the postseason. Ohtani has been dealing with left knee and right biceps issues for a few months and said before the National League Division Series that he is not 100% healthy.
Ohtani is hitting .150 (3-for-20) over six postseason games while appearing visibly uncomfortable at the plate. He has seven strikeouts, three walks and one stolen base with no home runs, no RBIs and an OPS of .411. He has not homered since Aug. 18 at Colorado. "I couldn't imagine really kind of having the expectations that he has and falling short in a way that it's not normal for him," teammate Mookie Betts said before the game.
Roberts said he saw a more focused Ohtani during off-day batting practice Tuesday. "He was determined, and that's an understatement," Roberts said. Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow, set to start Game 4 on Thursday, said Ohtani's demeanor does not change regardless of his performance. "He's confident in himself. It's just business as usual and a lot of smiles and the same laugh," Glasnow said.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing