Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts probably never thought he’d have to take Shohei Ohtani out of his lineup during a postseason series. Ever.
But after the team went down 2-0 in the NLCS to the Milwaukee Brewers, with Ohtani struggling at the plate, a decision had to be made heading into Game 3 at Dodger Stadium.
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The final verdict? Roberts will be trusting his Japanese superstar.
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“He’s adamant he feels good enough to be in there,” Roberts told reporters, via The New York Post, during the team’s off-day on Tuesday regarding Ohtani’s left knee and right arm ailments he’s been dealing with. “He’s close to finding something with his swing. I feel great about it.”
Ohtani has been serving as the Dodgers’ designated hitter, but he has been slumping throughout the postseason. His batting average is now down to a measly .150 after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the Game 2 loss to the Brewers in Milwaukee. He also hasn’t had an extra-base hit or an RBI in the playoffs.
It was Roberts who started the debate over whether Ohtani should be in the Game 3 lineup after his postgame comments on Monday night to The Athletic.
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Roberts ultimately decided the four-time MVP should get another shot after having a meeting with president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes.
“He was very convicted that he is onto something mechanically,” Roberts added. “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.”
Ohtani, through his interpreter Will Ireton, added: “The symptoms shouldn’t be the reason why I can’t hit. He said he takes “full responsibility” for how he’s played thus far in October.
Ohtani’s injuries are ones he’s dealt with throughout the regular season, with his arm requiring an injured list stint to try and get better.
But it’s clearly stymied the slugger, who hasn’t hit a home run since Aug. 18 – a stretch Ohtani is not used to.
Roberts noted that his confidence in Ohtani has “never wavered,” and his Game 3 decision is a testament to that.
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Will it work out in a game that feels like a must-win to get momentum back on the side of the back-to-back World Series champions?
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