The Los Angeles Dodgers made a major Shohei Ohtani change ahead of Tuesday’s pivotal Game 3 clash against the Atlanta Braves.
Dave Roberts adjusted his lineup for the NLDS matchup against Braves ace Chris Sale at Truist Park. Ohtani drops to fifth in the batting order, which Talkin’ Baseball noted is the lowest the four-time MVP has hit since 2020.
Ohtani spent nearly the entire regular season in the Dodgers’ leadoff role before sliding to second in the first two NLDS games. Hindered by knee and biceps injuries, the superstar designated hitter has gone 2-for-8 with no walks or extra-base hits against Atlanta.
Mookie Betts will stay in the leadoff spot, and Freddie Freeman slides up from cleanup to No. 2. Teoscar Hernandez bats third against the southpaw before Will Smith and Ohtani.
Miguel Rojas will bat sixth as the starting second baseman, and Andy Pages remains the starting center fielder at No. 7 after two hitless games. Kyle Tucker and his $60 million average annual salary bat eighth, and Enrique Hernandez draws his first start of the series at third base over left-handed slugger Max Muncy.
Tommy Edman, who has a career .803 OPS against lefties, will take a seat after going 0-for-5 in the first two games.
Dodgers move Ohtani down the order
Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Dropping Ohtani down the lineup card didn’t come out of nowhere. Roberts addressed the possibility after the 32-year-old struck out twice in Sunday’s 3-2 loss.
“I would,” Roberts said Monday about moving Ohtani down, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. “I think it’s something that, you know, I think moving him from 1 to 2 — but going further than that? I’m open to it.
“And it’s something that if I do, I would obviously have the conversation with Shohei to explain why. And at the end of the day every conversation I’ve had with him is whatever’s best for the team, he’s all-in on. So I know that undoubtedly.”
The Dodgers have acknowledged that Ohtani isn’t 100% healthy, and it’s apparent in his lagging production. He batted .200/.333/.233 in September and hasn’t hit a home run since Aug. 18.
Ohtani has never batted lower than No. 2 since joining the Dodgers in 2024. But for what it’s worth, he snapped a 16-game homer drought when he last batted sixth on Sept. 19, 2020, for the Los Angeles Angels.
Tuesday’s game between the Dodgers and Braves starts at 6 p.m. ET on FS1.
