The Los Angeles Dodgers are rolling with Shohei Ohtani for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday night, even though he’s barely done anything at the plate in his last 24 games and is battling injuries to his left knee and right biceps. Yeah, you read that right. Despite looking lost at times during the postseason, Ohtani is in the lineup.
Roberts Backs His Guy, But The Numbers Are Brutal
This isn’t just a slump; Ohtani’s postseason bat has been absolutely frozen. He’s only managed three singles and three walks in 24 plate appearances this October. You’d think that would be enough for a manager to hit the reset button, but Dave Roberts is standing firm. “He’s adamant he feels good enough to be in there. He’s close to finding something with his swing. I feel great about it,” Roberts said Tuesday. He didn’t stop there, adding, “He was very convicted that he is onto something mechanically. He was adamant that he can help us. He’s well enough to help us win a baseball game. So that’s all I needed to hear.”
Reports after Game 2 had everyone buzzing about the Dodgers possibly sitting Ohtani due to his struggles. Roberts, though, made it clear it wouldn’t be a benching, but more of a “reset or recovery day.” He even brought up Freddie Freeman from 2024, saying Freeman “was ailing, wasn’t feeling great, give him a couple days potentially to then reset, and he ends up winning the MVP in the World Series.” Roberts laid out his condition for a break: “Hey man, if you’re not feeling good enough that you feel like you can perform up to your ability, then we’ll pivot, give you a couple days.” But for now, Ohtani is performing to his ability, at least in his own mind, and Roberts is listening.
A Season Full Of Ailments And A Search For The Swing
Ohtani’s season has been a real physical grind. He’s been dealing with left knee irritation, so much so that he missed the All-Star Game. Then he was shut down from pitching after his July 3 start, and any attempts to get him back on the mound were eventually halted. Add to that right biceps inflammation, which sent him to the injured list in September. Roberts summed it up, “It’s everything. It’s the upper body, it’s the knee, and he’s just not perfect. He’s not. But in his words, he’s ready to go.”
Since coming off the IL, Ohtani’s bat hasn’t exactly exploded. He’s got eight hits in 37 at-bats, a .216 average, with just one extra-base hit, a double. And get this: his last home run was way back on August 18. That’s 110 plate appearances without a dinger and only one run batted in. Ohtani, through interpreter Will Ireton, said Tuesday that “The symptoms have subdued a lot, especially when I was on the IL, spending that time just being able to reduce the symptoms.” He also admitted the swing is a “daily process of trying different things, different feel on a daily basis.” It sounds like he’s still searching, and he’s not making excuses. “The symptoms shouldn’t be the reason why I can’t hit, and even if the injuries happen by accident, I take full responsibility,” Ohtani stated, reiterating his commitment to taking “full responsibility.”
So, Ohtani is playing in Game 3 tonight. It’s a huge moment, and Roberts is making a big bet on his superstar’s self-assessment. Let’s see if Ohtani can find that swing and make good on his manager’s trust in this crucial game.
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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