10/15/2026 03:28:00
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10/15 03:24 CDT Shohei Ohtani batting 6th, a lone single, and the Dodgers
staring at playoff elimination
Shohei Ohtani batting 6th, a lone single, and the Dodgers staring at playoff
elimination
By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Slumping star Shohei Ohtani singled after being dropped to
sixth in the batting order for the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose 6-2 loss to the
Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series put them
on the brink of postseason elimination Wednesday night.
It's the lowest the left-handed-hitting Ohtani has batted since joining the
Dodgers three years ago on a $700 million, 10-year contract. Los Angeles
manager Dave Roberts wanted to alternate right- and left-handed hitters
throughout the lineup against Milwaukee's left-handed starter, Robert Gasser.
"Shohei's all on board," Roberts said before the game. "Whatever it takes to
win."
It wasn't enough, and now the two-time defending World Series champions trail
3-0 in the best-of-seven series.
Ohtani flied out in the second inning, got hit by a pitch in the fourth and
walked in the sixth before singling with two outs in the eighth. The Dodgers
had runners on base in all but three innings.
"We're just not getting those timely hits," Roberts said afterward. "We've had
some opportunities with guys on base, but can't get that hit."
Ohtani, the designated hitter, is typically atop the order, but Roberts has
dropped him lower during a slump that has extended into the postseason. Ohtani
has been struggling with left knee and right biceps issues for a few months,
preventing the two-way star from pitching, and said before the Division Series
against Atlanta that he wasn't 100% healthy.
During his six years with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani started games batting
sixth or lower 19 times, all during the 2020 season or earlier.
Ohtani is hitting .182 (4 for 22) over seven postseason games. He has seven
strikeouts, four walks and one stolen base with no RBIs and an OPS of .533.
He hasn't homered since Aug. 18 at Colorado.
"I couldn't imagine really kind of having the expectations that he has and
falling short in a way that it's not normal for him," teammate Mookie Betts
said before the game. "Then having to come back and be present in this
postseason knowing how important he is to the boys."
Roberts said he saw a more focused Ohtani during off-day batting practice
Tuesday.
"He was determined, and that's an understatement," the manager said. "He was
here late last night working on his swing, out with the guys and talking about
things on how we're going to beat these guys."
Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow, set to start Game 4 on Thursday, said Ohtani's
demeanor doesn't deviate regardless of how well he's performing.
"I think most people put in that situation, you'd have a lot more emotional
volatility, so it's just impressive to see him just be a good dude always,"
Glasnow said. "I don't think he needs reassurance or anything. He's confident
in himself. It's just business as usual and a lot of smiles and the same laugh."
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