In a shocking development, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will be batting fifth in the lineup for Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.
MLB reporters Katie Woo and Bob Nightengale were among the first to report the lineup change; the Dodgers later posted the lineup card confirming it.
It’s the lowest Ohtani has hit in the lineup since the 2020 season, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels, long before he was a two-time World Series champion and one year prior to winning his first of four Major League Baseball MVP awards.
The move, frankly, is stunning.
Ohtani has struggled recently
While Ohtani’s struggles at the plate during the latter half of the season are well documented, a complete retooling of the Dodgers’ lineup prior to a potential series-defining Game 3 speaks to the inexcusable lack of offense the team has mustered in the postseason.
Read More: 3 Dodgers who are struggling the most during the NLDS
Ohtani himself has not recorded an RBI since the middle of September, and had an even longer drought prior to his stint on the injured list.
One can argue that he might be in better position to bat some runs in as the 5-hole hitter, but you’re also potentially sacrificing an additional at-bat from your best hitter by dropping him lower in the lineup.
The Dodgers will face the ageless wonder Chris Sale during Game 3. The lefty was dominant in the regular season but has been shaky throughout his postseason career.
In 16 plate appearances against the two-time Cy Young Award-winner, Ohtani is 3-for-15 with no home runs, 1 RBI, 1 walk and 5 strikeouts, according to Statmuse.
Manager Dave Roberts has not gone a game without majorly tinkering with his lineups, in large part to gain some kind of advantage in lefty-vs-righty matchups (he did the same with his starting pitchers).
In Game 2, Miguel Rojas started at third base instead of Max Muncy, which ended up working in the team’s favor, although not enough to get enough run support to secure a stranglehold on the series.
Now Kike Hernandez will start in place of Muncy in Game 3, but Muncy will be available as a situational substitute or pinch-hitter, depending on the pitching matchup.
This season, as a whole, the Dodgers have been slightly better against right-handed hurlers (.259 AVG, .765 OPS) than southpaws (.251 AVG, .755 OPS).
And they’ll need to manufacture runs somehow if they have any hopes of closing the door on the Braves.
If Roberts is willing to do something as dramatic as slide Ohtani down the lineup and toggle Max Muncy in and out of the starting spot, center fielder Andy Pages and utility man Tommy Edman must be sweating.
The good news for the Dodgers: Reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be on the mound Tuesday afternoon in a battle of aces for a commanding series lead.
Game 3 of the NLDS starts at 3 p.m. at Truist Park in Atlanta. The game will be broadcast on FS1, Fox Deportes and the FOX One streaming platform. Game 4 will also be in Atlanta, while Game 5, if necessary, returns to Dodger Stadium.
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