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Dodgers Manager Moves Ohtani to No. 5 Spot for Game 3
Confirmed
In Short: Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts moved two-way player Shohei Ohtani to the No. 5 spot in the batting order for Game 3 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts moved two-way player Shohei Ohtani to the No. 5 spot in the batting order for Game 3 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.
The decision came after Ohtani struggled in Game 2, going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts against the Braves.
Roberts explained that the move was a one-game adjustment to give the Dodgers a different look against Sale, a left-handed pitcher known for his tough matchups.
"We all understand that Sale's going to be tough," Roberts said, adding that runs would be at a premium and spreading the left-handed hitters in the lineup against Sale was a priority.
Roberts acknowledged Ohtani's recent struggles, noting that the player has been chasing pitches and will continue to see pitches off the plate until he shows some restraint.
"I just feel this gives us the best chance to beat the Braves today and combat Sale, to combat what they're going to throw after Sale," Roberts said.
When Roberts informed Ohtani of the planned change, Ohtani joked that in September he had considered telling Roberts to hit him seventh—a spot he last hit while with the Los Angeles Angels in 2020.
Roberts emphasized that the lineup move is not a lack of confidence in Ohtani but rather a strategic adjustment for the game.
"The guys I feel at the top have a good chance to get on base, and I do think that there's going to be opportunities where the game, the situation, bleeds into Shohei's at-bat," Roberts said.
Ohtani's performance in the regular season was solid, hitting.275 with 30 home runs and 81 RBIs, but he has had a sub-par start to the postseason, going 3 for 18 (.167) with eight strikeouts in the first two games.
"Everything orbits around Shohei in the sense of his talent," Roberts said, noting that Ohtani can still earn the team's respect despite his recent struggles.
Roberts assured that Ohtani would return to his usual spot in the lineup for Game 4 against Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle.
What this adds
Roberts' decision to move Ohtani reflects the team's strategic approach to the postseason, prioritizing lineup flexibility against tough pitching matchups.
Ohtani's recent performance has been a topic of discussion, but Roberts maintains faith in the player's ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.
What's confirmed
- Roberts said the move was a one-game adjustment to give the Dodgers a different look against Braves left-hander Chris Sale.
- Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani strikes out while batting during the seventh inning of Game 2 of a National League Division Series baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, Oct.
- Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts speaks during a news conference ahead of a baseball NL Division Series Friday, Oct.
- Manager Dave Roberts has juggled the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup for Game 3 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, moving designated hitter Shohei Ohtani to the No.
- 26, the left-handed hitting Ohtani was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.
What's still developing
- With All-Star left-hander Chris Sale starting for the Braves and Ohtani struggling at the plate since returning from lingering injuries that caused him to miss time toward the end of the regular season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts moved the four-time MVP to an unfamiliar spot.
- The teams entered Tuesday tied at a game apiece and with their best postseason pitchers on the mound, with Sale facing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the reigning World Series MVP.
- Ohtani played in the final five games of the regular season after coming off a two-week stint on the injured list with nagging right biceps and left knee issues.
- He went 5-for-21 with an extra-base hit, eight strikeouts and a walk over the final five games.
- "And the same thing happens in the postseason. He's one of those guys that's one swing away from doing something really spectacular. So I don't try to overthink it too much. It's going to happen at some point."
- His Game 2 single was more about placement – he “blocked” it toward third base with the Atlanta Braves’ infield shifted to the right.
- Then he had possibly the greatest postseason game any player has ever had – hitting three home runs and pitching six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and just two hits allowed in the Game 4 clincher.
- If Ohtani is hearing the questions about his performance again this postseason, is he capable of another explosive response?
- “Look, with Ronald, like I said all along, every time he steps in the box, he might do something special,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said.