Dave Roberts Backs Confident Shohei Ohtani Amid Dodgers Star’s Batting Struggles

Shohei Ohtani last homered on August 18 and is 3-for-20 in this postseason with no extra-base hit and 7 strikeouts.

Dave Roberts Backs Confident Shohei Ohtani Amid Dodgers Star’s Batting Struggles

Dave Roberts and Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

Shohei Ohtani will be in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ batting lineup on Wednesday. Amid reports that the team will likely bench him for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS), Dave Roberts and the team have backed his confidence that he’ll break out of his current slump.

The second half of the 2026 season hasn’t gone as Ohtani anticipated. The two-way star has not pitched since July 3rd and has played only as the designated hitter (DH).

The Japanese international has struggled with his health. He has battled issues in his left knee, right biceps, neck, and left hip. All of this has taken a huge toll on his form.

In Game 2 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, he went 0-for-4 with 2 strikeouts. He has often swung at some wild pitches that have been way out of the zone.

With the Dodgers losing 7-4 in Game 2 and falling down 0-2 in the best-of-seven championship series, reports emerged that Ohtani could be benched for Game 3. As per The Athletic, the team was about to have a discussion with him regarding this.

No big player wants to sit out such games. Ohtani, obviously, is one of the best in MLB history. The thought of him sitting out a must-win game sparked several debates.

The Dodgers are now backing him. In the press conference on Tuesday, Roberts admitted that they had a word with him. The 4-time MLB MVP is “adamant” that he is good to go.

He was very convicted that he is onto something mechanically. He was adamant that he can help us, he’s well enough to help us win a baseball game. So that’s all I needed to hear.

Dave Roberts said as per MLB.com

While Ohtani is confident about turning things around, the recent stats are not in his favor. He has not hit a home run since August 18 and is 3-for-20 in the postseason, with no extra-base hits and 7 strikeouts. However, all it takes sometimes is one swing of the bat to flip the script.

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Shohei Ohtani takes responsibility for poor showing in recent times

Shohei Ohtani has not been up to his very best in recent weeks and months. Following Dave Roberts’ press conference on Tuesday, the 6-time All-Star spoke with the reporters and took responsibility for his poor showing.

Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

Given his struggles, some pointed out that his injuries were playing a huge part in it. While speaking through his interpreter, Will Ireton, he downplayed the impact of this and expressed that this should not be the reason why he could not hit.

The symptoms shouldn’t be the reason why I can’t hit. And even if the injuries happen by accident, I take full responsibility and I take that as an opportunity for me to just take full responsibility for it.

Shohei Ohtani said

The Dodgers will need Ohtani’s bat to wake up in Game 3. In MLB history, only 16 times out of 95 have teams come back from a 0-2 deficit in the best-of-seven championship series.

The LA-based side did come back from such a deficit in the COVID-shortened season in 2020. They came back from a 0-2 and 1-3 deficit against the Atlanta Braves and moved on to the World Series, where they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays to clinch their first title since 1988.

The title kick-started the current Dodgers dynasty. The hopes of a historic 3-peat are currently hanging by a thread.

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