Things haven’t gone the way the Los Angeles Dodgers wanted in the first few games of the championship series. They have dropped the first two games of the National League Championship Series and haven’t looked like the dominant team we all thought they’d be. While there are many reasons to be concerned about the Dodgers, the biggest is Shohei Ohtani’s play. It has gotten so bad that the Dodgers are reportedly considering benching Ohtani for Game 3. But would this be the right move for the Dodgers?
Should Shohei Ohtani Be in The Lineup for the Dodgers
Ohtani has had a rough few weeks. Back in early September, he was placed on the 15-day IL with many different injuries. The big question was when he would return and whether he would make it back in time for the postseason. He returned and played a few games before the end of the regular season, but his injuries never fully healed. He has looked lost at the plate and isn’t making the same quality of contact. He has not hit a ball over 110 mph since August 21st.
He doesn’t just look off at the plate; his stats back it up. In the postseason, he has 20 at-bats and a .150/.261/.150 slash line, with three runs, three walks, and seven strikeouts. He has gone from one of the Dodgers’ most feared hitters to an easy out. You can not have that type of production in the middle of your lineup. It is a rally killer and can end what could be a really successful inning. This will hold them back and cost them games for the rest of the series.
This is a tough choice for the Dodgers. Sure, he’s played poorly, but you never want to take your best bat out of the lineup. The entire Dodgers lineup is built around Ohtani. If you take him out, can the lineup make up for it? You’ll also be putting your best player on the bench during the most important series. Sure, he’s struggled, but he may need one good game to get back into a rhythm. A hit in a big spot or a few good at-bats might help restore his confidence.
But something needs to change for the Dodgers right now. This is not some nothing series during the dog days of summer. This is the NLCS, and any small mistake or missed opportunity could be the difference between winning the series and being eliminated. Taking Ohtani out of the lineup could give the team the jolt it needs. It will send a message to the locker room that the play on the field is unacceptable and could give Ohtani a day to clear his head. It could even help him get his bat going again.
It’s a tough choice for the Dodgers to make, but they may need to sit Ohtani for at least Game 3. A day off might clear Ohtani’s head and let him return to the player we’re used to before the Dodgers are eliminated.
