Shohei Ohtani was supposed to be the Dodgers’ biggest postseason weapon. Instead, through the first two games of the NLDS, he has looked like a star still searching for his October form.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is open to moving Shohei Ohtani further down the batting order amid the designated hitter's ongoing postseason struggles. Ohtani, who admitted he is not 100 percent fit after September injuries, went 2-for-8 across the first two games of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. After already shifting him from leadoff to the second spot, Roberts confirmed he will not bench Ohtani but would discuss additional lineup changes with him.
Roberts attributed Ohtani's slump to chasing breaking balls outside the strike zone amid a 20-game home run drought. Los Angeles faces Chris Sale in Game 3 following a 3-2 defeat in Game 2. Alongside Ohtani's struggles, the Dodgers face bullpen strain following a short 3.2-inning start by Blake Snell and late-inning bullpen inconsistencies from Edwin Diaz and Tanner Scott.
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