Dodgers Defy Bench Debate, Keep Ohtani in NLCS Game 3 Despite Slump

Key points

• Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani will play in Game 3, stating the player is 'well enough to help us win a baseball game.'
• Ohtani was moved from the top of the order to sixth, with right-handed hitter Miguel Rojas replacing Max Muncy at third base against left-handed starter Robert Gasser.
• Ohtani is batting .150 in the postseason with no home runs since August 18, and has dealt with issues in his right arm, left knee, and right hip.
• The Dodgers are trailing the Brewers 2-0 in the best-of-seven series and must win four of the remaining five games to advance to the World Series.
• Blake Snell is the starting pitcher for Game 3 at Dodger Stadium, having previously struggled with control in the NLDS but maintaining a streak of low-run starts.

Background

The Dodgers entered the NLCS as heavy favorites but have struggled significantly against the Milwaukee Brewers. In the first two games, Ohtani went 1-for-7 with three strikeouts, marking a sharp decline from his 2025 postseason dominance. The team's offense has been suppressed by Milwaukee's bullpen, which threw a postseason-record five perfect innings in Game 2. Prior to Game 3, there was widespread speculation that the Dodgers would bench Ohtani in favor of rookie Josue De Paula, but the organization ultimately decided against it.

How outlets are covering it

California Post criticizes the Dodgers' justification for keeping Ohtani, arguing that the claim he is 'close to finding something mechanically' is preposterous given his recent strikeouts against high-velocity fastballs. The outlet emphasizes that the team's other options, such as De Paula, are unlikely to improve their chances against elite playoff pitching. In contrast, Fox News highlights the trust Roberts has in Ohtani, noting that the manager's confidence has 'never wavered' and that Ohtani took 'full responsibility' for his slump. MLB Trade Rumors provides a neutral statistical overview, noting Ohtani's 29.2% strikeout rate in the postseason, while USA Today focuses on the lineup changes, specifically the move of Ohtani to sixth in the order and the insertion of Rojas at third base to counter the Brewers' left-handed starter.

Why it matters

This decision is critical for the Dodgers' survival in the NLCS. With a 2-0 deficit, the team cannot afford further offensive struggles. Keeping Ohtani, despite his compromised state, signals a lack of faith in the bench and a reliance on the star's historical value. If the Dodgers lose Game 3, they will face a 3-0 deficit, a position from which they have rarely recovered in the postseason. The outcome of this game will determine whether the Dodgers can mount a comeback or if the Brewers will advance to the World Series.

What to watch

The Dodgers will face the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, October 14. Blake Snell will start for Los Angeles, while Robert Gasser will pitch for Milwaukee. If the Dodgers lose, they will need to win four of the next five games to avoid elimination. The series will continue with Game 4 on Thursday, with Tyler Glasnow expected to start for the Dodgers.