The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for another battle with the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS. They’re coming off a 3-1 series win over the Philadelphia Phillies—a series they managed to survive despite superstar Shohei Ohtani playing as poorly as he ever has.
“Ohtani was the focus of every plan of attack for the Philadelphia Phillies, who deployed one left-handed pitcher after another in the National League Division Series. Ohtani had one hit and struck out nine times in 18 at-bats, with 16 of his 20 plate appearances coming against lefties,” The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya wrote.
Heading into the series against the Brewers, manager Dave Roberts made it clear the team is counting on Ohtani to bounce back.
“Certainly, whatever opponent we face, they’re gonna try to put as many lefties on Shohei,” Roberts said. “But hoping that he can do a little self-reflecting on that series. And how aggressive he was outside of the strike zone, passive in the zone — just the at-bat quality needs to get better. We’re counting on a recalibration, getting back into the strike zone and understanding when he faces left-handed pitching what they’re gonna try to do.”
Ohtani is also expected to take the mound during the series, and it appears Roberts is keeping that card close to his chest.
“Dave Roberts said Dodgers have already determined when Ohtani and Glasnow will pitch this series, but declined to announce today,” Dodgers writer David Vassegh wrote.
It will be interesting to see when the Dodgers deploy Ohtani, given he’s been on a strict rest schedule all season. The team won’t want to overwork him, especially this deep into the postseason.
Still, Ohtani is a once-in-a-generation player. If the Dodgers need his arm late in the series, he may not require full rest to deliver. Roberts has the authority—and the strategy—to keep this decision under wraps until Thursday, which should make this a fascinating series to watch.
