The Los Angeles Dodgers are in an absolutely brutal spot right now, staring down the barrel of elimination. They’re down three games to none against the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, and after dropping Game 3 where they blew a 2-1 lead thanks to Blake Snell getting shelled in the seventh, they’re shaking things up. The biggest bombshell? Shohei Ohtani is back in his usual leadoff spot for Game 4, but get this: Dave Roberts apparently didn’t even bother to tell him.
Ohtani Gets The Call, But Not The Memo
Yeah, you read that right. According to David Vassegh of AM 570, Roberts didn’t communicate with the two-way superstar about moving him back to the top of the order. You’d think a move like that, especially with your season on the line, would warrant a conversation, right? Ohtani actually showed some life at the plate on Wednesday despite the Dodgers’ collapse. He went 1-2, ripped a single, and took a hit-by-pitch. That single was against DL Hall, absolutely scorching off the bat at 113.5 miles per hour. That’s the hardest hit ball by any Dodger this entire postseason. Even his flyout against lefty Robert Gasser was hit hard at 90.3 mph. So, while the communication breakdown is wild, maybe this move sparks something.
Where Did Betts and Freeman Go?
Meanwhile, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, who usually anchor that lineup, are sliding down to the number 2 and 3 spots respectively. And honestly, it’s about time someone tried something different with those guys at the top. Betts has been straight-up invisible from the leadoff position this postseason. His slash line is a pathetic .231/.355/.231, and he’s got exactly zero extra-base hits and zero RBI. Zero! Freeman isn’t doing much better. After playing hero against his old team in the NLDS, he’s just lost it at the plate. We’re talking a .091/.083/.091 slash line and just one RBI in twelve plate appearances. When your supposed superstars are putting up numbers like that, you know you’re in deep trouble.
Will Smith Steps Up, Rojas Surprises
Will Smith actually provided the only real offense against Milwaukee in Game 3, and he’s getting bumped up from seventh to the cleanup spot tonight. Kyle Tucker is still in the middle of the order, hitting fifth. He’s been one of the very few consistent bats for the Dodgers this October, hitting .250 with an .830 OPS after a solid series against Atlanta. Teoscar Hernández, though, is sliding down to sixth after two hitless games.
Then there’s Miguel Rojas. This guy is starting at second base, batting seventh, and it might honestly be the final game of his entire big league career. But you know what? He’s been the Dodgers’ best hitter over the last seven games, putting up a ridiculous .333 average and a .929 OPS, with a double over just seven plate appearances. He’s getting the start against lefty Shane Drohan over Max Muncy. Andy Pages slides down to eighth, and Kiké Hernández gets the nod at third base over Tommy Edman, batting ninth. Talk about a desperate scramble for offense.
So, that’s the lineup. The pressure is all on Tyler Glasnow, who’s taking the mound tonight. He’s got the unenviable job of trying to save the Dodgers’ season for at least one more game. If he can’t, it’s lights out. 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 True Blue LA.
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