The Los Angeles Dodgers face a tough spot after losing Game 1 of the NLCS. Shohei Ohtani has gone cold at the plate, hitting just .188 with three hits in 16 at-bats. This slump leaves a huge hole in the lineup that the team must fill. Analysts say the team needs him to play at full strength to beat the Brewers. They argue he might need to move lower in the order to take the pressure off his shoulders.
Los Angeles now trails the series and heads to Milwaukee for Game 2 on Monday. The mood is tense, but the team has been in this spot before. The question is not just about Ohtani’s swing, but how the rest of the team reacts. If he cannot find his form, every other hitter must step up immediately. The pressure is on the whole club to win without their biggest star firing on all cylinders.
The Cost of a Cold Bat
Ohtani’s struggle is not just about one stat. It is about everything he brings to the game. He is a four-time MVP who wins in both leagues. When he struggles, the team loses power, speed, and a high batting average all at once. It also means losing his strong presence in the lineup. That presence changes how pitchers attack the rest of the team. Without it, the Dodgers lose their edge.
The numbers show the gap clearly. Ohtani has only three hits across 16 postseason at-bats. A huge gap remains at the top of the lineup. Alex Rodriguez explained the full impact of this loss on Fox Sports. “As far as Ohtani goes, the thing why he’s so valuable is you’re not just missing power or batting average or running the bases or stealing bases,” Rodriguez said. He added, “You’re missing all of it. Plus his presence in the lineup.”
When a player like Ohtani goes cold, the team must find a new way to score. The Brewers know this. They will pitch to Ohtani differently if he stays in the top spot. They might avoid challenging him and focus on the hitters behind him. This forces the Dodgers to change their approach. They cannot rely on the usual strategy if their best hitter is not producing.
Can He Hide in the Middle?
Some experts suggest a bold move to fix the problem. They think Ohtani should drop to the fourth or fifth spot in the batting order. This would give him more time to see pitches and get into a rhythm. It also takes the spotlight off him for the first few innings. Rodriguez believes this change could help the team win the series even if Ohtani struggles. “So can they win? Maybe you can kind of hide him in the fourth and fifth slot,” Rodriguez continued.
He noted that Ohtani went first to third in the last game. That is a very hard person to replace in that spot. The other guys in the lineup must make up for the lack of production. This is a tough ask, but it might be the only way to move forward. If Ohtani cannot turn things around, the rest of the team has to carry the load. The urgency for them to step up grows with every out.
Derek Jeter offered a different view on the mental side of the slump. He does not think the team needs to panic or change their mindset. They have been here before and know how to handle it. “They need Shohei Ohtani if we’re going to see the Dodgers at full strength,” Jeter said. “I don’t think it’s easy to flip a switch, but they don’t have to flip a switch mentally because mentally you walk into that clubhouse, I bet they have the same demeanor as if they won Game 1 because they’ve been here before.”
The Challenge of the New Rules
The game has changed with new rules about the automated ball-strike system. Teams are using challenges more often in the playoffs than in the regular season. Batters have been more successful on these challenges. The success rate for batters went up to 57% in the playoffs. This is a big jump from the 49% seen during the regular season.
Overall, teams issue more challenges, averaging 4.8 per game versus 4.3 during the regular season. This shows that players and coaches are learning how to use the system. They are becoming more cautious and saving their challenges for key moments. Rays catcher Liam Hicks explained this mindset. “Maybe a little more cautious,” Hicks said. “It’s more just in the back of your head, you’re like, you want to save these for a meaningful situation.”
The Dodgers have used their challenges well so far. They won 2 of 6 challenges in the earlier rounds. This is a small sample size, but it shows they are adapting. The Brewers have also done well, winning 8 of 16 challenges. Every out and every pitch counts in the postseason. The ability to challenge calls can change the momentum of a game. It gives teams a chance to correct bad calls that could hurt their offense.
What Needs to Happen Next
The Dodgers must find a way to score runs without Ohtani hitting well. The rest of the lineup needs to produce more than usual. They cannot rely on the star player to carry them every night. If Ohtani stays in the top spot, he might face the pitcher’s best pitches. Moving him down could help him see more pitches and find a groove. It also gives the team a chance to score earlier in the inning.
Game 2 is a chance to reset. The team cannot let the loss of Game 1 break their spirit. They have been in this situation before and have won. The key is to stay calm and play their game. If Ohtani can get a hit or two, it will lift the whole team. If he does not, the others must step up. The series is not over, but the window to take control is closing fast.
They want to see the Dodgers at their best. Ohtani is a big part of that hope. He is a player who can change a game in an instant. If he can flip the switch, the Dodgers are dangerous. If he cannot, the Brewers will be ready. The answer will come on the field in Game 2.
