The Los Angeles Dodgers are tied 1-1 with the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, heading into a pivotal Game 3 in Atlanta, and their bid for a third straight World Series title might be on life support. You’d think the back-to-back champs would have their fanbase trusting them implicitly, but there is a massive red flag waving right now, and it’s all about one player: Shohei Ohtani. If he doesn’t figure it out, this series could be over before they know it.
Ohtani’s Mechanics Are Looking Off-Balance, According to Experts
ESPN’s Buster Olney has put it out there: Ohtani’s problems are “very apparent,” and his struggles could absolutely lead to the Dodgers getting bounced from the postseason. Olney noted that Ohtani, who is trying to rebound from an injury, “looks off-balance.” That’s a huge problem. And it gets worse. A veteran MLB hitting guru looked at Ohtani’s swing and straight up said his mechanics “now look like Bryce Harper’s in those stretches when Harper has struggled.” Yikes. That’s not the comparison you want for your superstar DH in the playoffs. The guru even pinpointed it further: “He’s got his butt in the first-base dugout.” That’s a textbook sign of someone completely out of sync at the plate, someone who isn’t driving through the ball like he should.
A Tough Matchup Against Sale With Their Season on the Line
It’s not a total shock that Ohtani is struggling a bit. He just came off a stint on the injured list right before the postseason kicked off. But his performance since coming back should absolutely be ringing alarm bells for the Dodgers. This isn’t just a minor slump, folks. It’s a fundamental breakdown at the plate, and now, he faces his biggest test yet in a potentially series-defining Game 3. The Braves are sending out their dominant left-hander, Chris Sale, to face the Dodgers’ lineup. Facing Sale when you’re already struggling with your mechanics is a nightmare scenario. It wouldn’t be a surprise at all if Ohtani plays poorly enough to cost the Dodgers a chance at winning Game 3. Sure, it won’t be *all* his fault, but considering just how much he means to that team, his recent struggles could be the major catalyst that sends them home.
This whole thing boils down to Ohtani. Where he goes, the Dodgers go. If he can somehow click it into gear and figure things out, he could absolutely carry this team to the NLCS and keep their dream of a three-peat alive. But with his struggles and some other “blemishes” on the Dodgers right now, there’s some serious concern about their chances in this NLDS. Game 3 tonight against Chris Sale is make or break for him, and for the Dodgers’ entire season.
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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