MILWAUKEE — The Los Angeles Dodgers are batting slumping Shohei Ohtani cleanup in their opening game of the National League Championship Series on Sunday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Ohtani had just two hits in 13 at-bats (.154) in their National League Division Series victory against Atlanta, a continuation from his struggles beginning in August.
“I still think, if he's in the batter's box, he's still a threat,’’ Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He swung the bat well against these guys last postseason. Their memories [against] those pitchers, their memories are long. Now it's just up to Shohei to understand that and control the strike zone.
“They're just not
going to give in to him regardless of how he might be swinging the bat over the last couple months, in my opinion."
Ohtani hit .357 with three homers and a 1.143 OPS in the Dodgers’ sweep against Milwaukee in last year’s NLCS, and also pitched six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts.
The Dodgers still believe he’s a threat simply getting on base without the power, particularly against Brewers flame-thrower Jacob Misiorowski.
“It’s just get on base, take good at-bats, and we'll deal with whatever," Roberts said. “Honestly, it's the same message for everyone. Shohei is known for his slug, but when you're facing Jacob, it's just you've got to take good at-bats. If you run into a homer, great. But if you can earn a walk, fantastic."
Dodgers lineup today
Starting pitcher: LHP Tarik Skubal
- Mookie Betts (R) SS
- Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
- Will Smith (R) C
- Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
- Teoscar Hernández (R) LF
- Max Muncy (L) 3B
- Andy Pages (R) CF
- Kyle Tucker (L) RF
- Enrique Hernández (R) 2B
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See Dodgers lineup today behind starting pitcher Tarik Skubal vs Brewers
