‘I’ll Die on That Hill’: Dodgers Face a Tough Shohei Ohtani Call After World Series Dreams Fall Apart

Following an NLCS sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers, the Los Angeles Dodgers face a major decision regarding Shohei Ohtani's two-way workload. Dodgers analyst Doug McKain argued on Dodgers Dugout that the franchise should consider making Ohtani a full-time hitter to maximize his offensive production. Ohtani struggled at the plate late in the year, batting just .160 after August 18 and recording only five hits across 26 postseason at-bats.

While Ohtani excelled on the mound with a 1.79 ERA over 85 2/3 innings, knee issues in June preceded his late-season offensive slump. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged the unprecedented toll Ohtani's dual role takes on the organization. With rotation uncertainties surrounding Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and impending free agent Tarik Skubal, Los Angeles must balance Ohtani's pitching value against his hitting longevity.