When Shohei Ohtani, the 31‑year‑old two‑way phenom, was told he wouldn’t start Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, the reaction was part disbelief and part strategic calculation. The announcement came on at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the Milwaukee Brewers were defending a narrow lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts opted for a rotation shuffle, citing Ohtani’s recent offensive struggles and the club’s shaky bullpen as the twin reasons behind the move.
Background: Ohtani’s Two‑Way Journey
Since arriving in Los Angeles in 2024 after a seven‑year stint with the Angels, Ohtani has been a headline fixture – breaking his own Dodgers home‑run record with 55 blasts in the 2025 regular season and posting a 4.00‑plus ERA as a starter. Yet his postseason résumé tells a different story. In the National League Division Series against Philadelphia, he logged 6 innings, surrendered three runs and struck out nine, but his bat hovered at a .200 average across 95 career playoff at‑bats – a steep 29% dip from his .282 regular‑season mark.
NLCS Developments: Pitching Choices and In‑Game Highlights
The decision to leave Ohtani on the bench was not made in isolation. Blake Snell, the 32‑year‑old left‑hander, took the mound for Game 1, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 26‑year‑old Japanese right‑hander, was slated for Game 2. Both have logged three postseason starts this year, and Roberts believed they offered a better matchup against the Brewers’ rotation.
Ohtani’s lone highlight in Game 2 came in the top of the seventh, when he stole second base on an 85.1 mph curveball from Brewers left‑hander Aaron Ashby. The play underscored his lingering speed even as his bat stayed cold.
Performance Metrics: Numbers That Tell the Story
- Postseason batting average: .200 (5 HR, 16 RBI) vs. regular‑season .282.
- 2025 regular‑season OPS: .956, career OPS: .707 in playoffs.
- Pitching line in NLDS Game 1: 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 K, 4.50 ERA, 0.67 WHIP.
- Career pitching: 3.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 39‑20 record.
- Rest between starts: 10 days (Oct 4 to Oct 14).
Those figures illustrate why Roberts felt uncomfortable leaning on Ohtani for a second start. The bullpen’s unreliability – evident in three blown saves during the first two NLCS games – means a fresh arm could be more valuable than a two‑way star who’s already shown fatigue at the plate.
Analyst Takeaways: Where Ohtani Needs to Improve
Across the pond, Spanish outlet Marca and U.S. sabermetrics blogs zeroed in on two pain points. First, hitting consistency – Ohtani’s swing time has lengthened in late innings, a trend that shows up in his strike‑out rate rising from 22% in the regular season to 28% in the playoffs. Second, adaptability to a potential relief role. He has never appeared out of the bullpen in his MLB career, and a Game 7 scenario could force him into an untested situation.
“If the Dodgers get to Game 7, they’ll need every weapon,” said baseball analyst Jenna Morales of Baseball Insight. “But they can’t rely on Ohtani to magically switch gears without some preparation.”
Looking Ahead: What Game 3 Could Mean
Game 3 shifts back to Dodger Stadium on . The plan, according to Roberts’ post‑game interview with Sports Illustrated, is to keep Ohtani in the lineup as the designated hitter while he watches the bullpen closely. If the series extends, a late‑inning relief cameo remains on the table, but only if the bullpen can hold the line.
For fans, the takeaway is simple: Ohtani’s greatness isn’t in question, but his postseason rhythm is. The Dodgers must lean on their depth, keep the pressure off the Japanese star, and hope the Brewers don’t capitalize on the momentum swing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Dodgers bench Ohtani for Game 2?
Roberts cited Ohtani’s slump at the plate – a .200 postseason average – and an unreliable bullpen. He chose to start seasoned starters Snell and Yamamoto instead, hoping to preserve the star for a potential Game 7.
How has Ohtani performed as a pitcher this postseason?
He threw 6 innings in the NLDS against Philadelphia, giving up three earned runs and striking out nine, posting a 4.50 ERA and a 0.67 WHIP – solid numbers but not dominant.
What are the key areas Ohtani must improve to help the Dodgers win?
Analysts point to better hitting consistency in the playoffs and the ability to adjust to relief pitching if called upon in a decisive Game 7.
Who are the Dodgers’ main pitching options for the rest of the NLCS?
Beyond Ohtani, the staff leans on Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and the bullpen, which has struggled with three blown saves so far.
When and where is Game 3 scheduled?
Game 3 takes place on at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
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