The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2026 postseason ended in disappointment after the Milwaukee Brewers swept them in the National League Championship Series. Shohei Ohtani’s struggles at the plate became a major storyline as the four-time MVP battled lingering injuries.
Manager Dave Roberts considered removing Ohtani from the lineup before Game 3 but ultimately kept him in the starting nine, moving him to sixth in the batting order. The adjustment reflected growing concern about the star’s offensive production.
Ohtani showed signs of recovery with a three-run home run in Game 4, but the Dodgers still lost 6-4 on October 15, ending their hopes of winning a third consecutive World Series title.
Ohtani’s slump has become a serious postseason problem
Ohtani entered the playoffs after a disrupted finish to the regular season, making it difficult for Los Angeles to establish a reliable picture of his hitting form. He finished the regular season batting .275 with 30 home runs, 81 RBIs and an .889 OPS, but his late-season struggles continued into October.
His postseason numbers were particularly concerning. Before Game 3 against Milwaukee, he had collected only 3 hits in 20 at-bats, all singles, while striking out 7 times across his first 6 playoff games.
The problem extended beyond the batting average. MLB’s analysis of his Statcast data identified unusually late swings, a deeper contact point and a lower attack angle, suggesting that his timing had deteriorated even though his bat speed remained strong.
Dave Roberts chose a lineup adjustment over a benching
Roberts faced a difficult choice before Game 3, with the Dodgers trailing two games to none. Rather than remove Ohtani from the starting lineup, he kept the designated hitter in place and moved him to sixth in the batting order for the first time since Ohtani joined Los Angeles.
The move represented a meaningful change for a player accustomed to hitting first or second throughout his Dodgers tenure. It also gave Roberts a way to reduce Ohtani’s prominence in the lineup without abandoning the possibility of a breakthrough performance.
The decision reflected the tension between Ohtani’s established ability and his current limitations. Roberts had acknowledged that the star was not feeling completely healthy, while Ohtani remained convinced that he could help the team by continuing to play.
Injuries complicated the decision
Ohtani’s offensive slump coincided with injuries that disrupted his 2026 season. Lingering left knee and right biceps problems affected his availability, and he did not pitch again after July 3.
The Dodgers placed him on the 15-day injured list in September, limiting his preparation for the postseason. He returned for the final 5 regular-season games, batting 5-for-21 with 1 extra-base hit and 8 strikeouts.
The injuries and limited playing time complicated his efforts to regain consistency at the plate. Ohtani eventually hit a three-run homer in Game 4 of the NLCS, but the Dodgers lost 6-4 as Milwaukee completed the sweep.
Fun fact:Shohei Ohtani’s dog, Decoy, delivered a ceremonial first pitch to Ohtani at Dodger Stadium on August 28, 2024. Ohtani later hit a leadoff home run against the Baltimore Orioles.
Milwaukee has exposed more than one Dodgers weakness
Ohtani’s struggles attracted attention, but Los Angeles’ offensive problems extended beyond its biggest star. The Dodgers managed just 5 hits in their 6-2 Game 3 defeat, failing to sustain the brief advantage created by Will Smith’s two-run double.
Milwaukee benefited from timely hitting and effective pitching. Jackson Chourio opened Game 3 with a first-pitch home run, while Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell delivered late homers that helped the Brewers secure a 3-0 series lead.
The Dodgers’ offensive difficulties continued into Game 4. Although Ohtani hit a three-run homer to help Los Angeles build an early 4-0 lead, Milwaukee rallied for a 6-4 victory. The loss completed the Brewers’ sweep and ended the Dodgers’ championship defense.
Ohtani’s past postseason struggles offer perspective
Ohtani has endured difficult postseason stretches before delivering exceptional performances. During the 2025 NLCS against Milwaukee, he struggled through the first 3 games before hitting 3 home runs and striking out 10 batters as a pitcher in Game 4.
His 2024 World Series also featured a quiet stretch at the plate, when he recorded 2 hits in 19 at-bats. Those performances illustrate how even elite players can experience postseason slumps, although each situation presents different challenges.
In 2026, Ohtani’s struggles were complicated by injuries, limited playing time and changes in his swing mechanics. He finally broke through with a three-run home run in Game 4 against Milwaukee, but it was not enough to prevent the Dodgers’ elimination.
The Dodgers faced mounting pressure after Game 3
Milwaukee’s 6-2 victory in Game 3 gave the Brewers a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven NLCS, leaving Los Angeles 1 loss away from elimination.
Roberts had indicated that further lineup changes were possible, and he returned Ohtani to the leadoff spot for Game 4 after moving him to sixth in Game 3.
The adjustment produced an early breakthrough. Ohtani hit a three-run home run in the second inning, helping the Dodgers take a 4-0 lead. However, Milwaukee rallied to win 6-4, completing a four-game sweep and advancing to the World Series for the first time since 1982.
The result ended the Dodgers’ hopes of winning a third consecutive World Series title, despite Ohtani’s final-game contribution.
TL;DR
- Shohei Ohtani entered the 2026 NLCS struggling at the plate while managing left knee and right biceps injuries.
- Dave Roberts kept Ohtani in the Game 3 lineup but moved him to sixth in the batting order.
- Ohtani recorded just 3 singles in his first 20 postseason at-bats before Game 3.
- Milwaukee defeated Los Angeles 6-2 in Game 3 to take a 3-0 series lead.
- Ohtani returned to the leadoff spot and hit a three-run homer in Game 4, but Milwaukee won 6-4 to complete a four-game sweep and advance to the World Series.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.