Shohei Ohtani's struggles continue in the National League Championship Series, and the Dodgers are considering sitting him in Game 3. According to reports, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will have a 'conversation' with Ohtani about his role in the series.
Ohtani has been under fire for taking non-competitive at-bats, and his performance in Game 2 was particularly concerning. He took some horrid at-bats, and his strikeout against JoJo Romero in the sixth inning led some to worry that he might be too compromised to keep playing in the series.
The Timeline
Ohtani has been dealing with knee and biceps injuries since August 14, and he admitted that he would have to 'manage' both injuries during the playoffs. Despite this, he returned to action still dealing with the ailments.
The injuries have been a concern for the Dodgers, and they have been monitoring Ohtani's condition closely. In Game 2, Ohtani was seen limping off the field after a swing, and he was replaced by a pinch hitter in the seventh inning.
It's worth noting that Ohtani's injuries have been a long-standing issue. He first suffered a knee injury in July, and it has been a recurring problem throughout the season. The Dodgers have been trying to manage his workload and keep him healthy, but it's clear that the injuries are taking a toll on his performance.
The Dodgers' medical staff has been working closely with Ohtani to try and mitigate the effects of his injuries. They have been using various treatments and therapies to try and keep him on the field, but it's clear that he is not 100% healthy.
By the numbers
- Shohei Ohtani took some horrid at-bats in Game 2.
- The Dodgers will reportedly have a 'conversation' with two-way star Shohei Ohtani about sitting him in Game 3.
What The Filing Says
Ohtani's struggles at the plate have been well-documented, and the numbers tell a story. This postseason, Ohtani is just 3 of 20, with three walks and seven strikeouts. His three hits have been singles, giving him a .150/.261/.150 slash line over six games.
According to sources, Ohtani has been consistently beaten by velocity and has reportedly tried to shorten his swing to try and go the other way with pitches. However, this approach has not yielded the desired results, and Ohtani's struggles continue.
It's worth noting that Ohtani's struggles are not just limited to his hitting. He has also been struggling on the mound, and his ERA has been rising steadily throughout the season. The Dodgers will need to find a way to get him back on track if they want to have any chance of winning the series.
The Conversation
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't explicitly confirm that he would bench Ohtani in Game 3, but said he would have a 'conversation' with the superstar after Ohtani took some horrid at-bats in Game 2.
The conversation will be crucial in determining Ohtani's role in the series. Will the Dodgers decide to sit him, or will they continue to rely on him despite his struggles? The outcome of this conversation will have significant implications for the team's chances in the series.
Celeste Gallagher’s View
I've been saying it for weeks: Ohtani's struggles are a perfect storm of injuries and overthinking. He's been trying to shorten his swing to combat velocity, but it's clear he's not quite right. The Dodgers are getting desperate, and it's time to face facts: Ohtani's not the same player he was before the injuries. He's been a shell of himself, and it's not just about the numbers – it's about the at-bats he's taking. He's not being aggressive, and it's costing the team. I'm not saying sit him for the rest of the series, but it's time to have a real conversation about his role and whether he's truly contributing.
Sources
- The New York Times: As Shohei Ohtani struggles, Dodgers will discuss benching superstar in Game 3 Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal 56
- Yahoo Sports: Dodgers will have 'conversation' about benching Shohei Ohtani as star's struggles continue this postseason
