Dodgers Stick With Struggling Ohtani for NLCS

The Ohtani NLCS slump will not cost him a starting spot. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday he has no plans to bench Shohei Ohtani for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.

Ohtani is 3-for-20 in the playoffs and has not hit a home run since August 18. He is playing through knee and biceps injuries, though he insists he feels “good enough” to contribute.

Dodgers in a 2-0 Hole

Los Angeles dropped the first two games of the series, falling 2-1 and 7-4, and now faces a near must-win at home. Roberts said the team still believes in its star, betting that Ohtani’s talent can break through at the biggest moment.

The Brewers, meanwhile, are two wins from their first World Series appearance since 1982. Their bullpen has been nearly unhittable in the postseason with a 0.31 ERA.

Pitching Matchup Set

Game 3 pits Milwaukee’s Robert Gasser against the Dodgers’ Blake Snell, first pitch at 8pm ET. With the series on the line, Roberts is trusting both his ace pitcher and his struggling superstar.

Whether the gamble pays off could decide the season for the defending-champion Dodgers. One more loss would push them to the brink of elimination.

Source: Tribune.net.ph