The Los Angeles Dodgers are even with the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series following a paltry Game 2 performance at Dodger Stadium Sunday night.
The Dodgers scored two runs Sunday night, both off solo home runs—the first by Freddie Freeman in the bottom of the third, and the second by Max Muncy in the bottom of the ninth as the game’s second-to-last hitter in what proved to be garbage time.
The two-time defending World Series champions now head to Atlanta for Game 3 with no series lead, and more questions than answers about the team’s sluggish offense.
Freeman and Muncy have both looked good in the first two contests, as have Teoscar Hernandez and the turning-the-corner Kyle Tucker.
But some notable names have, as in previous postseason runs, failed to get up to speed when it matters most.
These 3 Dodgers who have struggled the most during the NLDS
Shohei Ohtani
Opposing pitchers will always view Ohtani as an extra-base threat, but his issues at the plate dating back to before his long stint on the injured list remain a concern.
Ohtani has two singles and two strikeouts across the NLDS; he has yet to earn a walk.
But the most startling figure is that he’s not driving in any runs—something that’s plagued him for the back half of the season.
After Game 2 of the NLDS, Ohtani has recorded only one RBI in his last 91 plate appearances, including the NLDS, his return from the injured list and 57 plate appearance before he was sidelined.
His last RBI was on Sept. 24.
What’s wrong with Ohtani? Well, it’s tough to say.
He hasn’t necessarily had a ton of opportunity to bat any runs in, per se. He’s also been moved from the leadoff spot to the 2 hole, and Mookie Betts at the 1, nor Tommy Edman at the 9, have set the world on fire this series.
An Ohtani slump is typically followed by an explosion of offensive production, so it’s possible he could turn things around, but time is running out and the Dodgers need runs NOW.
But if you’re Dave Roberts, Ohtani is probably the least of your concerns.
Ohtani’s stats in the 2026 NLDS: .250 BA, .500 OPS, 2 hits, 2 strikeouts, 0 walks
Andy Pages
Oh, Andy.
The first-time MLB All Star is continuing to struggle with his postseason bat. In two games of the NLDS, he’s tied for the team lead in strikeouts (4), has walked only once, and has yet to record a hit.
His confidence, again, seems shaken. His vision, again, seems off.
His plate discipline has been so poor that Roberts has banned him from challenging strike calls during his at-bats.
Like Ohtani, Pages is also getting back into the swing of things with his timing and his body after missing several weeks with a broken hand.
But, unlike Ohtani, Pages’ spot in the lineup isn’t a sure-thing. Of course he remains the best option on both offense and defense, but No. 1 prospect Josue De Paula could challenge him for at-bats, and October demigod Kiké Hernández is always ready at a moment’s notice. And, unlike Pages, Kiké has earned all of Roberts’ faith thanks to year after year of prolific postseason play.
Roberts likely wants to give Pages time to figure things out rather than risk destroying his confidence entirely. But the clock is ticking, and Andy we might be in the zero-hour.
Pages’ stats in the 2026 NLDS: .000 BA, .125 OPS, 0 hits, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk
Will Smith
Another key cog of two World Series wins, Will Smith has looked overmatched in the NLDS.
Another Dodger star coming back from a long injury stint (see a pattern?), Smith’s bat looks slow. His swings are way off from what’s normal for him.
He’s the only Dodger player who has yet to get on base in the NLDS.
And, worse of all, the Dodgers don’t have a realistic option to replace him in the lineup.
If Ohtani needs time to recover, Roberts has plenty of option at DH, including the aforementioned Kiké Hernandez and Josue De Paula. Max Muncy and Miguel Rojas could platoon third base with the other DHing depending on the matchup. And, as mentioned, Andy Pages is holding onto his starting spot by a thread.
The Dodgers don’t have that luxury at catcher. Hunter Feduccia is the only other catcher rostered for the NLDS. Neither his bat nor his defense are close to prime Will Smith’s caliber.
Dalton Rushing was on a tear early in the season, crushing balls and angering social media with his fiery and prickly behavior. But a serious elbow injury has affected his ability to throw, so if he’s added to the NLCS roster it likely will be as a bat only.
The best bet for Smith is to grant some grace and be patient. He’s benefiting from his higher profile teammates struggling themselves.
If the team bows out of the NLDS and are sent packing by the Atlanta Braves, Smith won’t get as much blame as Ohtani, Freeman or Betts.
Because, simply, the Dodgers don’t have any realistic alternatives (not to mention he’s built up enough World Series good will to last a lifetime).
But how he responds in games 3 and 4 could dictate how the team reacts in the offseason with an aging roster and several stars who failed to meet the moment.
Smith’s stats in the 2026 NLDS: .000 BA, .000 OPS, 0 hits, 2 strikeouts, 0 walks
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