Dodgers Discuss Drastic Shohei Ohtani Decision After Falling 0-2 Down in NLCS

Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-4 in Los Angeles Dodgers' Game 2 loss and is 3-for-20 in the current postseason with no extra base hits and 7 strikeouts.

Dodgers Discuss Drastic Shohei Ohtani Decision After Falling 0-2 Down in NLCS

Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell 0-2 down in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) after a 7-4 loss in Game 2. Following this defeat, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal claimed that the team will have a discussion with Shohei Ohtani and could even bench him for Game 3.

The Japanese international has struggled heavily in recent times. After starting the year as a two-way player, Ohtani has played as the designated hitter (DH) in the second half of the season. He has also been on the injured list while battling issues in his left knee, right biceps, neck, and left hip.

These injuries have taken a toll on his body. In Game 2, he went 0-for-4 and struck out 2 times. He has often chased some balls way out of the zone.

He is currently in one of the worst slumps of his career. He last homered on August 18 against the Colorado Rockies. Since then, he has just 14 hits and 1 RBI. In the postseason, he is 3-for-20 with no extra-base hits and has struck out 7 times.

This is a concerning sign for the Dodgers. Ohtani, who is one of the best players of this generation, is having a hard time in the batter’s box at the moment.

Dave Roberts and his team now have a huge decision to make. While speaking with The Athletic, the Dodgers skipper revealed he will have a conversation with Ohtani on Wednesday about potentially sitting out Game 3.

Yeah, I mean, obviously it hasn’t been good. He doesn’t feel great. I think for me, it’s having a conversation with him tomorrow, kind of try to figure out what’s best for him, what’s best for us. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it. I’ll have (that conversation) with him tomorrow.

Dave Roberts said regarding Shohei Ohtani as per Ken Rosenthal

If Ohtani is indeed benched for Game 3, the Dodgers could bring in top prospect Josue De Paula as the DH. He was promoted directly from Double-A Tulsa to the major leagues in September when Ohtani landed on the 15-day injured list. In 11 regular-season games, he had 10 hits with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, and 7 RBIs.

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Former MLB star claims injury is having a huge role in Shohei Ohtani’s slump

It is no secret that Shohei Ohtani is currently not having a good time with the bat. The 2-way star has been chasing some wild pitches and failing to get hits. A former MLB star believes that injuries are playing a huge role in his current slump.

Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

While discussing the update from Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal on MLB Tonight, ex-MLB star Eric Hosmer pointed out that Ohtani had been lunging on pitches and was not seeing the ball as well as he normally does.

Shohei Ohtani and that back knee. We’ve seen Shohei lunging on his front side, chasing pitches that he usually doesn’t chase. When you’re not on your backside, you’re lunging, you’re speeding up, you’re sped up. You’re not seeing the ball as good as he normally does. So I think that injury is playing a huge role.

Eric Hosmer said regarding Shohei Ohtani

Last year, Ohtani was named the NLCS MVP as the Dodgers swept the Brewers 4-0. In Game 4, he excelled in both departments by striking out 10 batters and hitting 3 home runs.

Now the Dodgers are staring at a potential sweep. In MLB history, only 16 times out of 95 have teams come back from a 0-2 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series.

The Dodgers are one of them. In the COVID-19 shortened season, they lost Games 1 and 2 against the Atlanta Braves and fell 0-2 down. After winning Game 3 with a huge margin, they lost in Game 4 and were on the brink of elimination.

They then came back and won Games 5, 6, and 7 to complete a 4-3 comeback and moved on to the World Series. In the Fall Classic, they beat the Tampa Bay Rays to win their first title in 32 years, which kick-started this current dynasty.

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