The unthinkable is on the table for the Los Angeles Dodgers right now. They’re trailing the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 in the NLCS, and their superstar Shohei Ohtani, a guy who’s won four MVP awards in the last five seasons, is struggling so much at the plate that manager Dave Roberts is openly considering benching him. This isn’t just a slump, folks; this is a full-blown crisis for a team trying to become the first since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees to win three straight World Series.
Roberts Drops a Bomb
Ohtani hasn’t been able to pitch since July 3, when he was pulled from a start against the Padres because of left knee discomfort and soreness in his right biceps. Those injuries kept him out of the All-Star Game and mean he can’t pitch in the postseason. But the real gut-punch for the Dodgers is how those issues are affecting him at the plate. After their 7-4 loss to the Brewers in Game 2, manager Dave Roberts was blunt: “Yeah, I mean, obviously it hasn’t been good. He doesn’t feel great.” He went on to say, “I think for me, it’s having a conversation with him tomorrow, kind of try to figure out what’s best for him, what’s best for us. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it. I’ll have [that conversation] with him tomorrow.”
That “conversation” could lead to Ohtani sitting for Game 3. If it happens, The Athletic reports that 21-year-old rookie outfielder Josue De Paula would be the likely replacement. ESPN adds that this drastic measure would only be taken if Ohtani’s knee and biceps issues are hindering him so much that he doesn’t feel healthy enough to play. Can you even imagine the two-time defending champions benching their four-time MVP in the NLCS? The stakes couldn’t be higher.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
This isn’t just about a few bad games; Ohtani’s bat has gone ice-cold for a while now. Through six games and 24 plate appearances this postseason, he’s batting a paltry .150/.261/.150. That’s right, a .150 average with no extra-base hits. He’s struck out seven times against only three walks. Yikes.
And it gets worse when you look back at the regular season. Ohtani hasn’t homered since August 18th! Over that homer-less stretch, which includes a stint on the injured list and the current playoffs, he’s batting .156/.283/.200 in his last 107 plate appearances. The underlying worry is that this isn’t just bad luck. Since August 17th, Ohtani’s quality of contact off the bat has “cratered,” showing real physical decline. This is more than a mental block; something is seriously wrong.
So, here we are, facing a must-win Game 3 back in Los Angeles. The biggest question heading into tomorrow isn’t just about the series, it’s about Ohtani himself. Will Roberts pull the trigger on the benching? Will Ohtani play through the pain or step aside for the good of the team? This decision could define the Dodgers’ entire season, and it’s going to be wild to see how it plays out.
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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