The Los Angeles Dodgers are in a seriously tight spot, tied 1-1 with the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS heading into a massive Game 3 in Atlanta. The back-to-back World Series champions *have* to snag a road win to keep their season alive. And while you’d think their fanbase would be chill with that track record, there’s a huge, lingering concern about one player who could flip this whole series upside down: Shohei Ohtani. As ESPN’s Buster Olney pointed out, the problems with Ohtani are crystal clear. It’s so worrisome that his struggles might actually be what sends LA packing from the postseason.
Ohtani’s Mechanics Got Everyone Sweating
Ohtani is battling, trying to bounce back from an injury, and honestly, he just looks off-balance at the plate. One veteran MLB hitting guru even noted that his mechanics right now look exactly like Bryce Harper’s during those times when Harper’s been in a slump. It’s not a shocker he’s struggling, considering he just came off the injured list right before the postseason kicked off. But his performance since returning? It’s gotta have the Dodgers panicking. That same hitting guru didn’t pull any punches, saying Ohtani “He’s got his butt in the first-base dugout.” That’s brutal, man, and it tells you everything about where he’s at.
Game 3: Sale, Braves, and a Huge Test
This ain’t just any game, folks. Game 3 in Atlanta is pivotal, potentially series-defining. The Braves are trotting out their dominant left-hander Chris Sale to face the Dodgers’ lineup, and Ohtani is gonna have a ridiculously tough time against him. Seriously, it wouldn’t even be surprising if the Dodgers’ designated hitter plays so poorly that he costs them a shot at winning this crucial game. Look, it won’t be all his fault, no player’s struggles are, but when you consider how much Ohtani means to this squad, his recent struggles could be a massive reason why the Dodgers get eliminated.
Ohtani is the engine for this team, no doubt. Where he goes, the Dodgers go. If he can somehow flip a switch and figure things out, he absolutely could carry this team to the NLCS, and maybe even keep their dream of a World Series three-peat alive. But with his struggles lately, mixed in with some other team blemishes, there’s some real, stomach-churning concern about the Dodgers’ chances in this NLDS. This is it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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