The Los Angeles Dodgers have once again given Shohei Ohtani, who is struggling, an opportunity to prove himself. Despite speculation that he might be left out of the starting lineup, Ohtani will start in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS).
Ohtani is a four-time Major League Baseball (MLB) Most Valuable Player (MVP) and has played a crucial role in the Dodgers' back-to-back World Series championships over the past two years.
However, Ohtani's batting has not improved recently. Frequent injuries have hindered his ability to maintain a consistent performance, and he has not met expectations during the postseason.
In six postseason games this fall, including the Wild Card Series, Ohtani has recorded just three hits in 20 at-bats, resulting in a batting average of .150. He has yet to hit a home run or drive in a run during the postseason, with his last home run occurring on August 19.
As his struggles continue, the batting order has seen changes. After joining the Dodgers in 2024 and consistently batting first, Ohtani has been moved to the fourth and fifth spots in the lineup during this postseason. While local media speculated about the possibility of him being left out of the lineup, the Dodgers have decided to keep Ohtani in the lineup, hoping for a turnaround.
The Dodgers find themselves in a precarious position after losing both Games 1 and 2 of the NLCS. All eyes will be on Ohtani in Game 3, as the team looks to him to break his silence and step up as a key player.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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