The Los Angeles Dodgers shook up their batting order once again by putting struggling designated hitter Shohei Ohtani into the leadoff spot for Thursday's Game 4 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
L.A. dropped Ohtani to sixth in the lineup for Wednesday's Game 3, and he wound up going 1-for-2 with a single, a walk, and a HBP. His walk came in the sixth inning and crucially loaded the bases ahead of a two-run double from Will Smith that gave the Dodgers the lead.
The Brewers eventually won 6-2, giving them a 3-0 advantage in the National League Championship Series.
Tonight's #NLCS Game 4 Dodgers lineup vs. Brewers: pic.twitter.com/eyWFjuwvJm
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 15, 2026
Ohtani is 4-for-22 with two runs and seven strikeouts this postseason.
"It's everything. It's the upper body, it's the knee, and he's just not perfect," manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday when asked if anything is bothering Ohtani physically.
The four-time MVP was the Dodgers' leadoff hitter in 132 of his 135 regular-season games. He hit .275/.377/.512 with 30 homers and 11 stolen bases during the campaign.
