The Dodgers may be on the cusp of advancing to another NLCS, but Shohei Ohtani has yet to join the party.
Ohtaniâs playoff struggles continued Wednesday in the Dodgersâ 8-2 NLDS Game 3 loss to the Phillies. The three-time MVP went 0-for-5 at the plate to drop his average to a paltry .174 (4-for-23) this postseason.
Now, the Dodgers must wait another day to try to eliminate the Phillies, who trail 2-1 in the best-of-five series. Game 4 is Thursday (6:08 p.m. ET) in Los Angeles.
Phillies Lefties Stymying Ohtani
So far, the Phillies have neutralized baseballâs most dangerous hitter. Ohtani is now 1-for-14 with seven strikeouts this series, with his only hit an RBI single off reliever Matt Strahm in the seventh inning of Game 2.
Perhaps even more alarming, Ohtani does not have an extra-base hit since homering twice in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Reds â a span of 19 at-bats.
This series, 12 of Ohtaniâs 15 plate appearances have come against left-handed pitchers. Christopher Sanchez, who will start Game 4 opposite Tyler Glasnow, struck Ohtani out three times in Game 1. Jesus Luzardo struck him out once in Game 2.
But as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pointed out, Ohtaniâs struggles are about more than just tough matchups.
âI think the lefties are part of it. But I just think his decision-making hasnât been good,â Roberts said, via The Los Angeles Timesâ Dylan Hernandez.
In addition to not hitting for much power, Ohtani is showing no aptitude for getting on base. Heâs drawn just two walks this postseason, lowering his on-base percentage to .240.
âYou can see itâs balls in, off the plate, and heâs not really giving himself a chance to hit a mistake,â Roberts added. âI just think heâs in between a little bit, but the swing decisions are just not where they need to be right now.â
The 31-year-old from Japan is a favorite to win his third straight MVP award after slugging 55 homers with 102 RBI and 20 stolen bases this season. His 1.014 ranked second in the majors behind Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (1.145).
Ohtani Slated to Pitch Potential Game 5
Roberts has already said Ohtani will start a potential deciding Game 5 in Philadelphia on Saturday. The two-way superstar was the winning pitcher in Game 1, holding the Phillies to three runs over six innings as the Dodgers overcame a 3-0 deficit to win 5-3. Ohtaniâs nine strikeouts were the third-most by a Dodger in their postseason pitching debut.
The Dodgers, of course, are hoping the series doesnât get that far.
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