Dodgers consider benching Shohei Ohtani as NLCS deficit widens
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he will have a conversation with Shohei Ohtani about his role for Game 3 after the team's 7‑4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series on Monday night.
The discussion follows a steep decline in Ohtani's postseason performance. Over six playoff games he has gone just 3‑for‑20, recorded no extra‑base hits and struck out seven times while battling ongoing right‑arm and left‑knee issues. In Game 2 he went 0‑for‑4 with two strikeouts, ending the night with a three‑pitch strikeout in the first inning and a strikeout in the sixth after being fooled by a slider.
Roberts told The Athletic, “He doesn’t feel great. 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.” The Dodgers, down 0‑2 in the best‑of‑seven series, cannot afford another empty performance from their biggest star, especially as the Brewers lead the series by two games and the Dodgers need a win to stay alive.
Ohtani’s injuries have hampered his play throughout the postseason. He has dealt with a right‑arm strain and a lingering left‑knee problem that have limited his swing speed and power. Prior to the series he also missed time earlier in the season with a bicep issue, further lowering his effectiveness at the plate.
Should the team decide to bench Ohtani, several options are on the table. Rookie sensation Josue De Paula, a 21‑year‑old who has shown promise in limited major‑league appearances, could take over the designated‑hitter spot. De Paula has reached base in more than half of his 45 plate appearances and contributed key walks in recent playoff games. Other possibilities include reinserting right‑handed hitter Kiké Hernández, who was moved to the bench for Game 2, or veteran Miguel Rojas, who could provide a right‑handed bat while recovering from a back injury.
Roberts remained optimistic about Ohtani’s potential, noting that he “feels good where he’s at” and that “it’s just, you want to get that first win.” He also referenced the historical difficulty of coming back from a 0‑2 hole, recalling that only the 2004 Boston Red Sox have ever rallied from a 3‑0 deficit in a best‑of‑seven championship series.
The next game will see the Brewers start left‑hander Robert Gasser, while the Dodgers must decide whether to keep Ohtani in the lineup or shift to an alternative who can spark the offense. The outcome of Roberts’ conversation with Ohtani will likely shape the Dodgers’ strategy as they fight to stay in the postseason.
