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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made a surprising lineup adjustment Tuesday, moving Shohei Ohtani down to the No. 5 spot for the team’s crucial National League Division Series Game 3 against the Atlanta Braves. It is the lowest Ohtani has hit in a lineup since Sept. 23, 2020.
The move comes with Los Angeles and Atlanta tied at one game apiece in the best-of-five series. With Atlanta sending veteran left-hander Chris Sale to the mound, Roberts opted to spread out his left-handed hitters and place Ohtani in a position where he could face the Braves’ ace with more protection around him.
Dodgers Make Bold Ohtani Lineup Change Against Chris Sale
Ohtani has struggled to find his rhythm since returning from injuries late in the regular season. He missed time because of lingering right biceps and left knee issues before appearing in the final five games of the regular season.
During that stretch, the superstar went 5-for-21 with one extra-base hit, eight strikeouts and one walk. He then collected two hits and struck out twice in his first eight at-bats of the NLDS.
Against Sale specifically, Ohtani entered Game 3 with a career record of 3-for-15 and five strikeouts. That history, combined with Sale’s ability to neutralize powerful left-handed hitters, helped shape Roberts’ decision.
“Sale’s a different monster,” Roberts said, according to ESPN.
The Dodgers manager also acknowledged that Ohtani has been chasing pitches outside the strike zone. Roberts said opposing pitchers are likely to continue attacking him off the plate until he shows greater restraint.
Why Los Angeles Chose the No. 5 Spot
Roberts emphasized that the decision was based on matchup strategy rather than a loss of confidence in Ohtani. The Dodgers placed Freddie Freeman in the No. 2 spot and Kyle Tucker eighth, creating more separation between the team’s left-handed bats against Sale.
“We all understand that Sale’s going to be tough,” Roberts said. “But the guys I feel at the top have a good chance to get on base, and I do think that there’s going to be opportunities where the game, the situation, bleeds into Shohei’s at-bat.”
In other words, Los Angeles hopes Ohtani will come to the plate with runners on base or in high-leverage situations. Even while struggling, his presence remains one of the most dangerous elements in the Dodgers lineup.
- Ohtani hit .275 with 30 home runs and 81 RBIs during the regular season.
- He entered Game 3 with two hits in his first eight NLDS at-bats.
- He was 3-for-15 with five strikeouts in his career against Chris Sale.
- Roberts said Ohtani is not expected to bat fifth in Game 4 against Tyler Mahle.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Also Searching for a Breakthrough
Ohtani is not the only elite hitter facing pressure in this series. Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. entered Tuesday’s game batting 3-for-18 in the postseason without a home run. He was 2-for-9 through the opening two games against Los Angeles.
Atlanta manager Walt Weiss kept Acuña in the No. 2 position but moved him from right field to designated hitter in a late lineup adjustment. Lane Thomas entered the lineup in right field.
Weiss said he did not want to overreact to Acuña’s slow start, noting that the slugger remains capable of changing a game with one swing.
“He’s one of those guys that’s one swing away from doing something really spectacular,” Weiss said.
High Stakes for Both Playoff Lineups
With Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting for Los Angeles and Sale pitching for Atlanta, scoring opportunities were expected to be limited. Yamamoto, the reigning World Series MVP, gives the Dodgers a powerful answer on the mound, but the club needs its offense to provide support in a tense road matchup.
The lineup change also reflects the urgency of October baseball. In a short series, managers often prioritize the specific matchup in front of them rather than relying on the same batting order every night.
Roberts said the adjustment was designed to give Los Angeles its best chance to beat the Braves in Game 3. He also indicated that Ohtani’s spot could change again depending on the opposing pitcher, with right-hander Tyler Mahle scheduled for Game 4.
For the Dodgers, the hope is that moving Ohtani into the middle of the order will reduce pressure, create better run-producing opportunities and help him rediscover the swing that produced 30 regular-season home runs. One strong at-bat could quickly change the tone of the series.
FAQs About the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani
Why did the Dodgers move Shohei Ohtani to No. 5?
Dave Roberts made the change because Chris Sale is a difficult matchup for left-handed hitters. The Dodgers also wanted to spread out their left-handed bats and create better opportunities against Atlanta’s ace.
How has Ohtani performed in the 2026 NLDS?
Ohtani had two hits and two strikeouts in his first eight at-bats of the series before Game 3.
What was Ohtani’s regular-season batting line?
Ohtani hit .275 with 30 home runs and 81 RBIs during the 2026 regular season.
Will Ohtani remain in the No. 5 spot?
Roberts said he did not expect Ohtani to bat fifth in Game 4 against right-hander Tyler Mahle, suggesting the lineup could change based on the pitching matchup.
Are the Braves dealing with similar offensive struggles?
Yes. Ronald Acuña Jr. entered Game 3 batting 3-for-18 in the postseason without a home run, although Atlanta manager Walt Weiss continued to express confidence in him.
