The Los Angeles Dodgers dynasty just got *swept* by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, ending their season and sending the two-time defending World Series champions home for the winter. But as shocking as that four-game sweep was, the real gut punch for their fans has to be the question mark now hanging over Shohei Ohtani, who clearly was not himself by the end of it all. This isn’t just about a team losing, it’s about their superstar looking genuinely diminished, and what comes next could truly shake things up.
The “Old Man River” Dodgers Are Done For Now
Look, there’s no sugarcoating it: the Dodgers looked *old* in the NLCS. They got sent home after Game 4, ending an incredible run of eight straight postseason series wins stretching all the way back to 2024. This squad had baseball’s oldest collection of position players this season, weighed by playing time, and it showed. Will Smith is 31, Shohei Ohtani is 32, Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernández are both 34, and Freddie Freeman is 37. Their core hitters? Yeah, they’re getting long in the tooth, and that age was staring everyone right in the face during the series. Despite how bad they looked getting swept, you can’t count them out entirely for 2027. They’re still loaded with talent and have the cash and prospects to reload. They should be on that short list of World Series contenders next year, but man, this ending stings.
Ohtani’s Power Just Vanished
The biggest question coming out of this whole mess is undoubtedly Shohei Ohtani. This guy was hindered by knee and biceps injuries for a huge chunk of 2026, and it was obvious. Late in the regular season and through the postseason, he just didn’t look like the MVP we know. His swing was all arms, barely any hard contact. Before his second-inning homer in Game 4, Ohtani hadn’t gone deep since August 18. Think about that: his power, a hallmark of his game, *vanished*. His expected slugging percentage, which tracks contact quality, totally slipped late in the year. And let’s not forget his pitching: he didn’t pitch at all after July 3. He tried a start-and-stop in late August, rehabbed, threw bullpen sessions and live batting practice, but then had to shut it down again before ever getting back on the mound in a game. He was playing like his usual self, absolute superstar stuff, until those injuries hit in the second half. That’s when his season began to circle the drain.
The Looming Offseason Questions
So, what now for Ohtani and the Dodgers? They’ve got two massive questions to answer. First, does he need offseason surgery on either that knee or the biceps, or both? And second, if he does go under the knife, will his recovery cut into his 2027 season? This isn’t just a simple rehab. We’re talking about a near certainty of a lockout this offseason once the CBA expires on December 1, meaning teams can’t even talk to their players. Imagine Ohtani needing surgery and being in rehab during a communication blackout. That’s a huge gamble for a guy who just watched his power disappear and his team get unceremoniously dumped from the postseason. The Dodgers have a lot to figure out before 2027 even gets here.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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