Los Angeles trails the Brewers 2-0 and manager Dave Roberts shuffled the order to mix lefty and righty bats against Milwaukee starter Robert Gasser.
Shohei Ohtani is batting sixth Wednesday night as the Dodgers try to climb out of an 0-2 hole against the Brewers in the NLCS. It is the lowest spot in the order Ohtani has occupied since signing his $700 million, 10-year deal three years ago, and the lowest of his career.
Ohtani enters the game mired in a 3-for-20 playoff slump that manager Dave Roberts has described as injury-hampered. Roberts moved him down from his usual fourth spot, sliding Kyle Tucker up to fill the gap, saying he wanted left- and right-handed hitters spread throughout the lineup against Milwaukee lefty starter Robert Gasser.
There was speculation Ohtani could be benched entirely, but Roberts confirmed Tuesday that the designated hitter would stay in the lineup. "In this big moment, we're listening to Shohei," Roberts said. Ohtani said he was fully on board with the move, with Roberts adding, "Whatever it takes to win."
The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers need a win to avoid falling further behind in the series against Milwaukee's pitching staff, which has been one of the best in baseball through the first two games.