The Dodgers are considering benching Shohei Ohtani for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, per multiple outlets including MLB.com and MLB Trade Rumors. The decision would come as the series shifts to Los Angeles on Wednesday, with the Brewers holding a commanding 2–0 lead and needing just two wins to reach their first pennant in 44 years.
DodgersLos Angeles0
BrewersMilwaukee2BrewersMilwaukee lead 2–0
GuardiansCleveland1
RaysSt. Petersburg0GuardiansCleveland lead 1–0
Ohtani has struggled significantly since returning from the injured list in the final week of the regular season. His presence in the middle of the Dodgers' batting order, per reporting from True Blue LA, has been more symbolic than productive. The star finished the 2026 regular season with a .275 average, 30 home runs, and 81 RBIs across 139 games, but has not carried that production into October.
| G | H | HR | RBI | AVG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 139 | 144 | 30 | 81 | .275 | .889 |
The Brewers took Game 2 by a 7–4 margin on Monday at Milwaukee to hold serve at home, improving to 103–59 on the season. The Dodgers, who entered the postseason as the 100–62 NL West champions, have now lost the last two games of the series after winning their first playoff game against Atlanta on October 7. With the series moving to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Wednesday, the Dodgers face the prospect of falling into a 0–3 hole if they cannot turn things around.
100-621st in NL WestStreak W3
While the reporting confirms the Dodgers are discussing the possibility of benching Ohtani, none of the outlets specify the exact timing of any final decision or which players might see increased playing time if the team proceeds with the move. The series resumes Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
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