Bombshell decision for the Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani could be benched in the middle of the crisis “He doesn’t feel well”

Los Angeles Dodgers could make a decision that seemed unthinkable just a few months ago: leave Shohei Ohtani out of the starting lineup in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The possibility was first reported by The Athletic and confirmed by manager Dave Roberts, who acknowledged that he will speak with the Japanese player before deciding how to approach the next game. The Dodgers are against the ropes, trailing 0-2 in the series, and the slump of their main star has become a concern.

The phrase by Dave Roberts that set off alarm bells

“Obviously, it hasn’t been good. He doesn’t feel very good”, Roberts acknowledged after Monday’s loss. The manager explained that he will talk with Ohtani to assess “what is best for him” and “what is best for us.”

The numbers explain the concern. Ohtani has managed just three hits in 20 at-bats over the six playoff games he has played, all singles, and has struck out seven times. He has not hit a home run this postseason.

The slump, moreover, goes back even further. His last home run was on August 18 against Colorado. Since then, his batting average has dropped to .156, with three extra-base hits, 36 strikeouts, and a .483 OPS.

For a player who usually makes the difference both with his power and his ability to get on base, the slump is coming at the worst possible time. The Dodgers need to respond after two straight losses and cannot afford to be one game away from elimination without evaluating alternatives.

For now, there is no definitive decision about Ohtani's starting role. The conversation with Roberts will be key in determining whether the Japanese star remains in the lineup or starts Game 3 from the bench.

Josue De Paula, the candidate to take his place

If the Dodgers decide to give Ohtani a rest, one of the names that appears as a possible replacement is the young Josue De Paula, one of the organization's top prospects.

The rookie already filled the designated hitter spot when Ohtani was on the injured list in September and posted solid numbers: a .323 average in 11 games, one home run, seven RBIs, and a 1.081 OPS.

His possible inclusion would represent a bet on youth at a moment of maximum pressure. However, the decision still depends on the coaching staff's evaluation and on the conversation Roberts will have with his star.

The Dodgers, forced to respond against Milwaukee

The situation could not be more delicate for Los Angeles. The Brewers took a 2-0 lead in the Championship Series, and now the Dodgers need to win the third game to avoid being on the verge of elimination.

In that scenario, Ohtani’s performance became one of the team’s main question marks. His possible removal from the lineup is not confirmed, but the fact that Roberts is considering that alternative shows the urgency with which the Dodgers are approaching the next game.

The question is no longer just when Ohtani will produce again with the bat. It is also whether he will be among the starters in a game that Los Angeles needs to win to stay alive in the series.