The Dodgers are heading home with the National League Championship Series tilted hard against them, and Shohei Ohtani’s place in the Game 3 lineup has become a real clubhouse question. Milwaukee’s 7-4 win Monday put Los Angeles in a 2-0 hole, while Ohtani’s long dry spell has followed him into October.
| NLCS | Result | Series |
|---|---|---|
| Game 2, Monday | Brewers 7, Dodgers 4 | Milwaukee leads 2-0 |
Los Angeles is expected to weigh sitting Ohtani for Wednesday’s Game 3, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. The two-way star has dealt with a right biceps issue and a left knee problem dating back to at least June. Those ailments sent him to the 15-day injured list in September, and his production began to slide noticeably in early August.
Ohtani’s slump has stretched into October
| Span | Batting Average | OPS | Home Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 35 regular-season and postseason games | .197 | .629 | 0 |
| 2026 postseason | .150 (3-for-20) | No extra-base hits | 0 |
Ohtani last went deep on Aug. 18 at Coors Field. Since that swing, he has driven in one run and gone 110 plate appearances without a homer, the longest homerless stretch of his career. His previous high was 104 plate appearances across the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
In the postseason, Ohtani has struck out seven times while drawing three walks. He opened the National League Division Series in the No. 2 spot, but manager Dave Roberts subsequently moved him to cleanup.
De Paula could get the designated-hitter call
If Ohtani is left out of the starting nine, Josue De Paula is the most likely replacement at designated hitter. The Dodgers promoted the highly regarded prospect from Double-A Tulsa when Ohtani went on the injured list in September.
De Paula, rated as the No. 4 overall prospect, reached base in 21 of 42 plate appearances during his short major league look. He made the postseason roster but has been limited to pinch-hitting because the Dodgers do not view his outfield defense as a strong fit for regular October duty.
| Player | Postseason Role | Plate Appearances | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josue De Paula | Pinch-hitter | 3 | 2 walks |
Giving De Paula the DH assignment would keep Los Angeles from having to place him in the field while offering a different left-handed bat against Milwaukee. For a Dodgers club down two games, the decision comes down to whether Ohtani’s reputation outweighs a body that has not looked fully right and a bat that has been quiet for nearly two months.
