Ohtani’s Playoff Woes Persist as Dodgers Crash to Phillies in Game 3

Shohei Ohtani Struggles to Find Hitting Form in NL Division Series

Ohtani’s Bat Quiet as Dodgers Fall to Phillies

The Los Angeles Dodgers faced a setback in their playoff journey, falling 8-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday night. Despite the team’s lead in the series at 2-1, their star player Shohei Ohtani remains in a postseason slump.

Ohtani’s Postseason Performance Raises Concerns

Shohei Ohtani, known for his exceptional talent, has been struggling at the plate, going 0 for 5 in the latest game. Over the series, he has managed only one hit in 14 at-bats and has struck out seven times. Phillies manager Rob Thomson acknowledged the threat Ohtani poses, saying, “He can explode at any time; he’s that great of a hitter.” However, the Phillies’ pitchers have successfully contained him so far.

Regular Season Success Yet to Translate

Throughout the regular season, Ohtani’s performance was remarkable, hitting 55 home runs and scoring 146 runs, both franchise records. His home run tally was second only to Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber in the National League. On the contrary, in Game 3 of the NLDS, Ohtani struggled significantly, striking out once and failing to reach base in his other attempts.

Managerial Insights on Ohtani’s Challenges

The Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, noted that Ohtani’s decision-making at the plate hasn’t been optimal. Despite these challenges, Ohtani’s contributions on the mound were undeniable; he pitched six impressive innings during the Dodgers’ Game 1 victory.

Looking Ahead: Potential Return on the Mound

As the series progresses, Roberts hinted that Ohtani could be pivotal in a potential Game 5 in Philadelphia on Saturday. Should the series extend to a fifth game, Ohtani is slated to start, potentially leveraging his strong pitching skills to lead the Dodgers to victory.