The Los Angeles Dodgers are one loss away from being eliminated from the NLCS after a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3.
The Dodgers started this season with the hopes of becoming the first team in MLB history to win three successive World Series titles. While they dominated in 2024 and 2025, it will take a miraculous comeback in 2026 to keep the three-peat alive.
Shohei Ohtani has looked like a shadow of the GOAT-level player fans had become accustomed to seeing, and these struggles have led to immense fan discussion.
Shohei Ohtani’s struggles have fans divided over who is to blame
After Ohtani went 1-for-2 with 1 BB in an underwhelming Game 3 performance, fans came after the 32-year-old Japanese dual-threat, with some complaining that he shouldn’t play injured while others think the Dodgers as a whole need to take the blame.
“Shohei Ohtani irresponsibly playing through injuries—and the Dodgers recklessly allowing it—will go down as one of the biggest reasons this team will probably squander a potentially once-in-a-franchise opportunity to three-peat. The Dodgers are playing without their best player,” said one fan.
“This is what it feels like to be a Padres fan, I’m going to be sick bro,” joked one Ohtani fan.
“Losing 3 games in a row or getting swept isn’t one guy’s fault. It’s a team effort. Even if Ohtani was healthy and playing well, we wouldn’t have won because of how bad everyone is,” said another fan.
“The Ohtani bar has never been lower,” were the thoughts of a fan.
“Dodgers fans- Ohtani is broken; please start Josue De Paula. Dave Roberts,” said one fan, criticising coach Dave Roberts for not pulling Ohtani from the lineup.
Ohtani batted at No. 6, the lowest position in the batting order in his career. The left knee and right bicep issues are clearly affecting the Japanese sensation’s production this season.
Despite Ohtani receiving support from the locker room and the coaching staff, the Dodgers are now in a must-win situation to keep their season alive. Only one team in MLB history has overcome a 3-0 series deficit, with the Dodgers now hoping they can be the next.
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