Dodgers make a decision over Shohei Ohtani as NLCS pressure mounts against Brewers

The Los Angeles Dodgers aren't ready to take Shohei Ohtani out of the lineup, even as their season faces a growing threat from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Ohtani has struggled to produce his usual offensive numbers during the National League Championship Series, prompting questions about whether manager Dave Roberts should give the four-time MVP a break.

But after discussing the situation with his star, Roberts made clear that the Dodgers still believe they need Ohtani on the field as they try to turn the series around.

The decision comes with Los Angeles trailing 2-0 and facing a difficult path back into contention. Ohtani entered the postseason as one of baseball's biggest offensive threats, but his current form has fallen well short of expectations.

He's batting .150 this postseason, a stark contrast to his .265 average and 14 RBIs during last year's playoff run.

Roberts acknowledged the problem after the Dodgers' Game 2 loss, admitting that Ohtani wasn't feeling his best and that the team needed to weigh its options.

“Yeah, I mean, obviously it hasn’t been good,” Roberts said. “He doesn’t feel great. I think for me, it’s having a conversation with him tomorrow, kind of try to figure out what’s best for him, what’s best for us. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it. … I’ll have [that conversation] with him tomorrow.”

Those comments raised the possibility that Los Angeles could leave Ohtani out of the starting lineup for Game 3. Instead, the Dodgers decided to stick with their superstar, with Roberts indicating that Ohtani could bat anywhere from second to sixth in the order.

The move reflects the balance Los Angeles must strike between getting its biggest names back on track and making the tactical adjustments needed to survive a postseason series.

Benching Ohtani might have offered him a chance to rest, but it would also have removed one of the team's most dangerous hitters from a game the Dodgers can scarcely afford to lose.

Roberts backs Ohtani as Dodgers search for an offensive spark

Roberts said his conversation with Ohtani left him confident that the designated hitter remained ready to contribute, despite the recent struggles.

“He was adamant that he can help us, well enough to help us win a baseball game. That’s all I needed to hear,” Roberts told reporters. “I know we’re better with him in the lineup. Everyone knows that. That’s not a secret.”

That vote of confidence matters as the Dodgers try to avoid falling into an even deeper hole against Milwaukee. Ohtani's ability to change a game with one swing makes him difficult to leave out, regardless of a temporary slump.

Even when he's not producing, opposing pitchers must account for his power, which can influence how they approach the hitters around him.

There are also concerns about his physical condition. Ohtani has been dealing with knee and biceps injuries, adding another complication to the decision about how much he should play.

He has not homered since Aug. 18, according to the information surrounding the series, and Los Angeles needs to see signs of progress if it hopes to make a comeback.

Ohtani's struggles have also been difficult for his teammates to watch. Mookie Betts, another key figure in the Dodgers' lineup, acknowledged the frustration while expressing confidence that Ohtani can find his way out of the slump.

“It’s hard to see,” Betts said of Ohtani, via ESPN. “He’s working, and hopefully he gets out of it. We know he’s working. Yeah, that’s a big one. We need him for sure.”

Betts' comments underline the importance of Ohtani to Los Angeles' championship ambitions. The Dodgers built their lineup around elite offensive talent, and they need that depth to deliver when the postseason margin for error becomes especially small.

The Brewers, meanwhile, have put themselves in a strong position by winning the first two games. A 2-0 advantage gives Milwaukee room to play with confidence, while placing immediate pressure on the defending champions to respond.

For Los Angeles, Game 3 represents an opportunity to stop the momentum before the series becomes even harder to rescue.

The Dodgers' decision to keep Ohtani in the lineup doesn't guarantee a turnaround. Roberts and his staff will still need to manage the batting order carefully, monitor the player's health and find ways to generate production throughout the lineup.

But the message from the manager is clear: Los Angeles believes it has a better chance of winning with Ohtani available than without him. The four-time MVP now has an opportunity to reward that trust when the Dodgers need him most.

First pitch for Game 3 of the NLCS is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Whether Ohtani can rediscover his power and help Los Angeles get back into the series remains the biggest question heading into the game.