Shohei Ohtani has been uncharacteristically bad for nearly two months now, a byproduct of left knee and right arm injuries that kept from pitching past early July. That isn't deterring Dave Roberts from plugging him into the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series.
Roberts announced Ohtani made the lineup on Tuesday, explaining that the two-way superstar is "convicted" his slump is nearing an end. Los Angeles certainly needs that to be the case after falling behind the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0.
"He was adamant that he can help us," Roberts said. "He's well enough to help us win a baseball game. So that's all I needed to hear. I've never wavered in my belief in him."
Ohtani is 1-for-7 with three strikeouts
in the NLCS. It's been a rough going at the plate for a while now, as Ohtani hasn't homered since Aug. 18 and has managed only one RBI.
Whether Ohtani breaks out of his slump or not, the four-time MVP doesn't plan to make any health-related excuses.
"The symptoms shouldn't be the reason why I can't hit," Ohtani said, "and even if the injuries happen by accident, I take full responsibility. I take that as an opportunity for me to just take full responsibility for it."
Game 3 of the NLCS is slated for 8 p.m. ET.
Where will Shohei Ohtani land in Dodgers' lineup?
Ohtani has primarily batted clean-up this postseason, though it wouldn't be shocking to see Roberts tinker with his lineup with his team in a serious hole.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why Shohei Ohtani is starting for Dodgers in Game 3 amid slump
