🚨 DODGERS CONSIDER SHOCKING SHOHEI OHTANI MOVE AS NLCS SEASON HANGS IN THE BALANCE!

The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a difficult decision at the worst possible time. After falling behind 2–0 against the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, Los Angeles is reportedly considering a move few baseball fans would have imagined: taking superstar Shohei Ohtani out of the starting lineup for Game 3.
According to reporting by Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Dodgers plan to discuss whether Ohtani should sit as the series shifts to Los Angeles. The report comes after a 7–4 defeat in Game 2, which left the defending champions two losses away from elimination. No final decision has been announced, and the possibility of benching Ohtani remains under discussion. �
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For a franchise built around championship expectations, this is more than a lineup adjustment. It is a test of whether the Dodgers can put their immediate postseason needs ahead of a superstar’s reputation while also accounting for the physical problems that may be affecting his performance.
WHY THE DODGERS ARE CONSIDERING SITTING SHOHEI OHTANI
Ohtani’s postseason numbers have become a serious concern for Los Angeles. Through his first 20 at-bats of the 2026 playoffs, he has collected just three hits, producing a .150 batting average without an extra-base hit. He has struck out seven times and drawn three walks. �
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Those numbers are a stark contrast to the explosive offensive production that has made Ohtani one of baseball’s biggest stars.
His struggles also began before the postseason. According to MLB.com, Ohtani has not homered since August 18, and he has driven in only one run since then. Across his most recent 35 games, including the regular season and playoffs, he has hit .197 with a .629 OPS. �
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The Dodgers have already tried adjusting his place in the batting order. Ohtani has moved down from his customary position near the top, with manager Dave Roberts searching for a combination that can generate more consistent offense.
But when a player is struggling over an extended stretch, changing his spot in the lineup cannot always solve the underlying problem.
Los Angeles must now determine whether Ohtani needs a temporary break, a different approach at the plate, or simply more opportunities to work through the slump.
INJURIES COULD BE A BIGGER FACTOR THAN THE STATISTICS SUGGEST
It would be easy to judge Ohtani’s current situation entirely by his batting average. However, the injury context makes the decision considerably more complicated.
Ohtani has been managing lingering discomfort in his right biceps and left knee. Those problems contributed to a stint on the injured list in September, and his performance has been affected during the latter portion of the season. �
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That raises an important question: Are the Dodgers seeing a hitter who has temporarily lost his timing, or a superstar whose physical condition is preventing him from performing at his usual level?
The answer matters because the two situations require different responses.
If Ohtani is healthy enough to contribute, keeping him in the lineup could give the Dodgers their best chance of producing a game-changing moment. Even during a slump, opposing pitchers must respect his power, which can influence how they approach the hitters around him.
If he is physically compromised, however, continuing to start him simply because of his reputation could hurt both the player and the team.
A short rest might help him recover, although there is no guarantee that sitting for one game would immediately restore his timing.
The Dodgers need to make this decision based on Ohtani’s current condition and likely contribution, not solely on his name or previous accomplishments.
DAVE ROBERTS FACES A HIGH-PRESSURE MANAGERIAL DECISION
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts now has to balance confidence in his superstar with the urgency of a postseason series slipping away.
Roberts acknowledged that Ohtani has not performed well recently and indicated that he intended to speak with him about the best path forward for both the player and the team. He also recognized that Ohtani has earned the opportunity to be part of that conversation. �
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That is an important distinction. The reported possibility of benching Ohtani does not necessarily mean the Dodgers have lost faith in him. It may instead reflect an attempt to determine how he can best help the team right now.
Managers often have to make unpopular decisions during October. A regular-season lineup can be built around long-term production, but postseason baseball demands immediate results.
The Dodgers cannot afford to keep repeating the same approach if it is not producing runs.
Still, removing Ohtani carries its own risks. His presence can force opposing pitchers to remain cautious, and one swing could change the direction of a game. If Los Angeles benches him and its offense continues to struggle, Roberts would face questions about whether he made the right call.
That is the difficult reality of managing a championship contender: every decision becomes magnified when elimination is approaching.
JOSUE DE PAULA COULD RECEIVE A MAJOR OPPORTUNITY
If Ohtani does not start Game 3, one possible replacement at designated hitter is highly regarded Dodgers prospect Josue De Paula.
De Paula, ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 overall prospect in the report, reached the major leagues after being promoted from Double-A Tulsa when Ohtani went on the injured list in September. He impressed in a limited opportunity, reaching base in half of his 42 plate appearances. He has also drawn two walks in three postseason pinch-hitting appearances. �
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Giving De Paula a start would represent a significant test for a young player who has yet to establish himself over a full major-league season.
The appeal is straightforward: Los Angeles needs productive at-bats, and De Paula has shown an ability to reach base. A fresh option could help change the rhythm of an offense that has struggled to put together sustained rallies.
However, it would be unfair to expect a prospect to solve every problem facing the Dodgers. A young hitter would be entering one of baseball’s most pressurized environments against a Brewers team that has already demonstrated its ability to control the series.
De Paula’s potential involvement should therefore be viewed as a tactical option, not a guaranteed solution.
If he starts and delivers quality at-bats, he could give the Dodgers a useful spark. If he struggles, the team would still need its established hitters to respond.
THE BREWERS HAVE EXPOSED THE DODGERS’ OFFENSIVE PROBLEMS
Ohtani’s slump is receiving much of the attention, but the Dodgers’ difficulties extend beyond one player.
Milwaukee won Game 2 by a 7–4 score, taking a 2–0 series lead behind a powerful performance from William Contreras. Contreras recorded three hits and three RBIs, including a game-tying home run and a go-ahead single. �
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The Brewers also received important production from Christian Yelich, who drove in two runs.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s bullpen shut down the Dodgers’ offense over the final five innings, retiring 15 consecutive Los Angeles hitters. That stretch demonstrated how effectively the Brewers can protect a lead once their relievers take control. �
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This is the bigger problem facing Los Angeles.
Even if Ohtani returns to form, the Dodgers cannot rely on one superstar to carry the offense through an entire championship series. They need better production throughout the lineup, more timely hits with runners in scoring position, and a pitching performance capable of keeping Milwaukee’s hitters under control.
The Brewers have earned their advantage by executing in important moments. Their success is not simply the result of Ohtani struggling.
For Los Angeles to recover, the entire team must respond.
GAME 3 COULD DEFINE THE DODGERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP DEFENSE
Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch set for 8 p.m. ET. The Dodgers will return home knowing that another defeat would leave them trailing 3–0 in the best-of-seven NLCS. �
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That makes the next game enormously important.
A victory would cut Milwaukee’s lead to 2–1 and give Los Angeles an opportunity to rebuild momentum in front of its home crowd. A loss would place the Dodgers on the brink of elimination, leaving them with almost no margin for error.
The Dodgers have championship experience and a roster filled with established talent. Those advantages should not be dismissed. But experience only matters if it translates into better execution on the field.
Their pitching staff must provide length, the defense must limit mistakes, and the offense must stop allowing opposing pitchers to dictate the game.
The reported discussion about Ohtani’s role is therefore part of a much larger challenge: finding the right combination of players and strategies to keep the season alive.
COULD BENCHING OHTANI ACTUALLY HELP LOS ANGELES?
There are reasonable arguments on both sides.
THE CASE FOR SITTING HIM: If Ohtani is dealing with discomfort that limits his swing, a temporary rest could be more beneficial than continuing to send him to the plate while he struggles. It could also allow the Dodgers to test another option at designated hitter and make a tactical adjustment against Milwaukee’s pitching.
THE CASE FOR KEEPING HIM IN THE LINEUP: Ohtani remains one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters when healthy and confident. Even during a difficult stretch, his power potential can influence opposing pitchers. Removing him also places greater pressure on the rest of the lineup to produce.
My assessment is that the Dodgers should make the decision according to Ohtani’s physical readiness and the quality of his at-bats, rather than treating a benching as punishment for poor statistics.
If he cannot swing comfortably or is visibly struggling to compete at his usual level, a temporary change may make sense. If he is healthy enough to contribute and simply experiencing a slump, keeping him available could still offer the team its highest upside.
There is no risk-free choice here. But with the series already 2–0, Los Angeles cannot afford to ignore the evidence in front of it.
PREDICTION: EXPECT A TACTICAL ADJUSTMENT, BUT THE DODGERS NEED MORE THAN ONE CHANGE
The most likely outcome is that the Dodgers seriously consider altering Ohtani’s role for Game 3, whether that means sitting him or making another adjustment to the lineup.
A full benching would be a major headline, but it would not automatically reverse the series. Los Angeles needs a collective offensive response, and the pitching staff must give its hitters a chance to recover from early deficits.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, has little reason to abandon the formula that has produced a 2–0 advantage. The Brewers have delivered timely hits, received effective relief pitching, and capitalized on the Dodgers’ mistakes.
My prediction is that Game 3 will reveal more about the Dodgers’ postseason resilience than any single lineup decision. If Los Angeles wins, the series could become much more competitive. If Milwaukee wins again, the pressure surrounding Ohtani and the Dodgers’ wider offensive struggles will intensify dramatically.
For now, fans should remember one key detail: Ohtani has not officially been ruled out of the starting lineup. The Dodgers are discussing their options, and the final decision remains to be seen.
FINAL TAKEAWAY
The possibility of benching Shohei Ohtani highlights the difficult choices facing the Los Angeles Dodgers as they attempt to avoid falling into an almost impossible postseason position.
His .150 postseason batting average is concerning, but his lingering injuries make the situation more complex than a simple hitting slump. Manager Dave Roberts must weigh Ohtani’s ability to change a game against the possibility that he is not physically capable of performing at his best.
The Milwaukee Brewers have already shown they can win by combining timely offense with dominant relief pitching. To stay alive in the NLCS, the Dodgers must find answers quickly.