Despite Noticeable Physical Issues And a Miserable Slump, Dave Roberts is Sticking With Shohei Ohtani In The Dodgers Lineup After Consideration Of Sitting Him

Aaron Gash. Getty Images.

It would be conservative to say it's been a tough go for Shohei Ohtani of late. He's looked like a complete shell of himself dating back to late August. 

Visually it's somehow even worse. Nothing is being hit hard and the swings are gross. He can't even pull the ball really. 

You can see he's all out of sorts mechanically, with his knee and biceps injuries greatly impacting his swing. 

Here are his thoughts on what's going on.

Advertisement

All of this parlayed with the Dodgers finding themselves in an 0-2 hole going into tonight's Game 3 begged the question of whether the Dodgers needed to make a lineup change regarding Ohtani. Right now when his spot comes up in the order there's no fear. If he's due up with men on base in a big spot you believe you can get him out. Last year FOX put up that intrusive graphic saying something like "3 batters until Ohtani" with an image of him on the screen near the score bug. Now it's the Brewers counting down the batters because of how lifeless he's been at the plate. 

Well, who would the other option be if you do choose to sit Shoehi? That'd be top prospect Josue De Paula who has an offensive skillset to break a game by himself. 

He also doesn't seem phased by the moment if you were going to put him in this kind of spot. He's special. One at bat, but everything about his offensive profile shows he's going to be a monster hitter in the league for a long time. If Ohtani is that compromised, the higher upside is easily with De Paula. 

Advertisement

Well, after some consideration and conversations with Ohtani, Dave Roberts is sticking with his guy. That would have been my bet after Game 2, but it does seem like there was some real thought put into this. 

It's hard to knock because at the end of the day if Shohei Ohtani is telling you he can right the ship and contribute, how are you sitting him with the season in the balance? If you go down with Ohtani out there then so be it. 

Roberts really went out on a limb of where you might see Ohtani in the lineup for Game 3. 

Basically this. Very helpful information. 

But back to Ohtani, clearly he feels he's healthy enough to help the team. That could be a competitor just wanting to push through and not want to take himself out, or he's actually onto something like Roberts said. I do wonder what happens if Ohtani's first at bat or two look the same as what we've been seeing of late. Is that enough to pull him for De Paula mid-game or are they seeing this through now? 

Advertisement

It's worth noting if you take out Ohtani's two best games in his postseason career the numbers are not impressive. 

People see that and want to stack him up with Judge's postseason failures, but the difference is that Ohtani has two rings and Judge has zero. Until Judge wins one that will be all that follows him. Winning cures a lot and takes away so much from what critics can throw at you. That's just how it goes. We'll see if Ohtani can snap out of this and find a way to win his third title. Starting to feel like if he can't contribute the Brewers are too well rounded to topple here. We shall see. So excited for Game 3 tonight.