Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Shohei Ohtani will remain in the lineup for Game 3 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, despite a postseason slump that has left the four-time MVP hitting just .150 with no home runs, extra-base hits, or RBIs so far in October.
The Dodgers trail the series 2-0 heading into Tuesday’s game at Dodger Stadium, a venue where the team hopes home-field advantage can help reverse their fortunes. Ohtani, serving as designated hitter, went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the Game 2 loss in Milwaukee, extending a drought that has seen him go without a home run since Aug. 18.
Roberts said the decision to keep Ohtani in the lineup came after discussions with president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes, and followed Ohtani’s own insistence that he is close to fixing mechanical issues with his swing.
“He’s adamant he feels good enough to be in there,” Roberts told reporters, according to The New York Post. “He’s close to finding something with his swing. I feel great about it.”
Ohtani has been managing a left knee issue and a right arm ailment that required an injured list stint during the regular season. Speaking through interpreter Will Ireton, Ohtani said he does not believe those physical issues should be holding back his hitting, and said he takes “full responsibility” for his performance this month.
“He was very convicted that he is onto something mechanically,” Roberts said. “He was adamant that he can help us, he’s well enough to help us win a baseball game. So, that’s all I needed to hear.”
Roberts said his confidence in Ohtani has “never wavered,” a stance reflected in his decision to keep the superstar in the Game 3 lineup rather than bench him during a series the defending back-to-back World Series champions now need to win to stay alive.
