Dave Roberts just confirmed it: Shohei Ohtani, despite a brutal 3-for-20 slump in October and an ugly final month and a half of the regular season, is staying in the Dodgers’ Game 3 lineup. This isn’t just a minor blip for a superstar. We’re talking about a player whose swing “just does not look right” and who’s been dealing with nagging upper-body and lower-body injuries all year, the very kind that already ended his season as a pitcher. After the Game 2 loss, Roberts hinted they’d have a tough conversation about potentially benching him, but it seems Ohtani convinced them otherwise.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Ohtani’s October Nightmare
Let’s be real, October hasn’t been kind to Shohei. That 3-for-20 line is ugly no matter how you slice it, and it’s a continuation of a really rough stretch that kicked off in the final six weeks of the regular season. This isn’t a case of bad luck where he’s hitting rockets right at guys. Nope. He simply has not been hitting the ball hard, and anyone watching can tell you his swing looks anything but normal. Injuries can mess with mechanics, whether a player wants to admit it or not, and Ohtani has certainly been battling his fair share of physical ailments this year.
Roberts Backs His Star, But Is It a Gamble?
So, why the decision to keep him in? Roberts told The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya that Ohtani was “adamant” he felt good enough to play and that he’s close to busting out of this slump. “In this big moment, we’re listening to Shohei,” Roberts said. “And we’re supporting the crap out of him and believe in him.” Ohtani himself has pushed back on the injury narrative, pointing to his mechanics as the real issue. Roberts doubled down, adding, “I know that we’re better with him in the lineup. Everyone knows that. It’s no secret.” The manager is clearly trusting his superstar here, but the recent results are screaming that this might be a bad idea. Ohtani isn’t the only star struggling for the Dodgers in October, but with the team already down 0-2, they need their big bats to wake up fast.
This series is far from over, and Roberts knows that Ohtani is a huge part of getting this offense back on track. Can Ohtani actually turn it around, or will this gamble be another nail in the coffin? Game 3 is coming, and all eyes will be on that plate.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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