Dodgers Considering Benching Shohei Ohtani for 2026 NLCS Game 3
The Los Angeles Dodgers are considering benching Shohei Ohtani for 2026 NLCS Game 3. Josue De Paula would be top candidate to take his spot in lineup. Manager Dave Roberts said they’ll have a conversation about what’s next on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, is this an overreaction by the Dodgers organization? Well, not exactly. It should be noted that Shohei is hurt, and players will never look like themselves under such circumstances. But the Dodgers obviously felt Shohei was good or healthy enough to have a successful impact on the team. However, that outcome just has not transpired. Ohtani has not looked efficient at the plate.
Shohei Ohtani is 3-for-19 (.158) thus far in the postseason with three singles and seven strikeouts. His last home run came on August 18. Since August 19 (24 games) he’s hitting .157 with 0 home runs and 1 run batted in. He’s struck out 36 times.
Shohei Ohtani is in by far the worst slump of his career right now. Shohei Ohtani in his last 24 games dating back to August 19th:
.157/.286/.202
14 hits
0 HR | 1 RBI
36 K
.488 OPS
The LA Times and The Sporting Tribune’s Arash Markazi weighed in on the Ohtani situation. A development most did not think the MLB realm would see this season. Regarding Shohei Markazi states,
“It should happen but it would still be surreal if Shohei Ohtani is benched one year after eliminating the Brewers in the NLCS when he made MLB history by hitting 3 home runs and recording 10 strikeouts in an elimination game. From the greatest game in MLB history to this. Wow.
We all know he’s injured. He’s been playing hurt for months. We’ve seen players play hurt and still produce. The Dodgers should shut him down if he’s injured to the point where he can’t produce. I think they have been well past that point for a while now.”
Dodgers Considering Benching Shohei Ohtani for 2026 NLCS Game 3
After another straight loss, the Dodgers are now reportedly considering removing Shohei Ohtani from the lineup for Game 3 in LA. Mookie Betts on watching Shohei Ohtani struggle: “It’s hard. It’s hard to see. He’s working and hopefully he gets out of it. We know he’s working. Yeah, that’s a big one. We need him for sure.”
Yesterday Dave Roberts echoed the same sentiments after Milwaukee snagged Game 2. Regarding Shohei Ohtani, manager Roberts said, “He doesn’t feel great. I think for me, it’s having a conversation with him tomorrow, kind of try to figure out what’s best for him, what’s best for us. I’ll have (that conversation) with him tomorrow.”
**Want Even More Sports, News, Hot Takes, Stats as well as Athlete Celebrity Sighting Updates, Insights as well as Trends? Well, be sure to join all of us Sports Feens over on Youtube to get an additional sports fix; and also don’t forget to check out all of our new Podcast topics and episodes. Plus, get fast highlights and trivia daily by following us on TikTok. Just Click HERE**
Thoughts on Dodgers Considering Benching Shohei Ohtani for 2026 NLCS Game 3? Well let’s connect then you Feen! We are always around on social media posting as well as chatting away. And we would love to hear some POV from you. Therefore, join the discussion and talk all things Sports Feen; athletics as well as breaking industry news related with us by dropping a comment or two. Get into our comment section on YT; or also hit us up on our TikTok page or tweet us @SportsFeen.
