The Dodgers batted Shohei Ohtani leadoff in NLCS Game 4, trailing Milwaukee 3-0. He hit a three-run homer for a 4-0 lead.
.182 average entering Game 4: four singles in 22 postseason at-bats. 116 plate appearances passed between home runs, dating to Aug. 18. 428 feet: the homer's distance, landing in right center field. He batted sixth in Game 3, his lowest start since 2020. Why it matters: Ohtani's slump mirrored a team-wide drought. The Dodgers' .572 playoff OPS ranks 240th of 246 qualifying postseason teams.
Knee inflammation and biceps discomfort have limited him; he has not pitched since July 3. Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani was "adamant" about playing after planning to rest him.
The story so far 11 steps · since Oct 7 Oct 7 2 smaller steps Oct 10 Brewers Beat Dodgers in NLCS Opener on Turang Homer 16 sources Oct 12 1 smaller step Oct 127:19 PM Brewers Take 2-0 NLCS Lead Over Dodgers in Game 2 17 sources Oct 13 Dodgers Turn to Blake Snell in Game 3 of NLCS 14 sources Oct 14 2 smaller steps Oct 151:37 AM Brewers Sweep Dodgers to Reach World Series 26 sources Oct 154:53 PM Dodgers Move Shohei Ohtani to Leadoff for Game 4 You are here Oct 16 Dodgers World Series Hero Announces Retirement After NLCS Loss 5 sources Latest
How 8 sources split on this story Bias Ownership
Strong Left Left Lean Left Center Lean Right Right Strong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean % of 8 sources
88% 12%
8 sources · 11 articles · 88% Center coverage
Center coverage, 7 sources: The center focuses on the lineup decision and Roberts' reasoning, then on Ohtani's homer rewarding the team's faith in him.
Right coverage, 1 sources: The right casts the move as a last-ditch gamble by a team near collapse and highlights doubts from players like Alex Bregman and Joey Votto.
What’s next: The Dodgers must win Game 4 and three more to reach the World Series.
Ohtani is not expected to pitch this postseason. Did the Dodgers hold the lead to win Game 4? Has Ohtani fixed the mechanical issue he described, or was the homer an isolated swing? 
