Brewers Gain Advantage

The Los Angeles Dodgers are returning home for the National League Championship Series (NLCS), where their aspirations for a third consecutive title face significant challenges. After the Milwaukee Brewers secured a 7-4 victory in Game 2, they now stand two wins away from clinching their first pennant in 44 years. The next games will be pivotal as the series moves to Dodger Stadium on Wednesday.

Ohtani’s Continuing Struggles

Key to the Dodgers’ woes has been the underperformance of superstar Shohei Ohtani. The four-time MVP is having a difficult postseason, with just three singles in 20 at-bats throughout October. In a recent game, Ohtani went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, further highlighting his struggles. He has not pitched since early June due to a left knee injury and has recently been dealing with additional issues related to his right biceps, leading to his placement on the 15-day injured list in mid-September.

Lineup Decisions Ahead

Manager Dave Roberts has responded to Ohtani’s performance by moving him down in the batting order, now hitting fourth or fifth in recent games. As the team prepares for Game 3, Roberts indicated to Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that a discussion with Ohtani will take place during travel. This conversation will determine if Ohtani will play in this crucial matchup.

The Impact of Ohtani’s Absence

If the Dodgers decide to bench Ohtani, it could open the door for 21-year-old prospect Josue De Paula to make his playoff debut in the starting lineup. De Paula has shown promise as a bench player since his September call-up, having drawn walks in three postseason at-bats. Notably, his two-out walk in Game 1 of the NLCS extended the inning before a subsequent flyout ended the game.

Although primarily an outfielder, De Paula has demonstrated offensive capabilities, particularly as a designated hitter during Ohtani’s absence. He concluded the regular season with a notable .303 batting average, 27 home runs, and a .401 on-base percentage while playing at the Double-A level.

Looking Ahead: Game Matchups

As the NLCS continues, the Brewers have announced left-handed pitcher Robert Gasser will start for Game 3. In response, the Dodgers are expected to counter with Blake Snell. Looking forward, Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy indicated that Dustin May, who contributed an inning of relief in the previous game, is likely to start in Game 4 on Thursday.