Dodgers Drop Shohei Ohtani to Fifth in Lineup for Game 3

Dave Roberts shook up the Dodgers' batting order ahead of Tuesday's pivotal NLDS Game 3 against Braves ace Chris Sale at Truist Park, and the biggest change involves Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani drops to fifth in the lineup, which Talkin' Baseball noted is the lowest the four-time MVP has hit since 2020. The superstar designated hitter spent nearly the entire regular season in the leadoff role before sliding to second in the first two NLDS games.

The move comes as Ohtani battles through knee and biceps injuries that have clearly limited him against Atlanta. He has gone 2-for-8 with no walks and no extra-base hits in the series, a stark contrast to the production the Dodgers leaned on all summer.

THE NEW LINEUP

The new look starts at the top, where Mookie Betts remains in the leadoff spot. Freddie Freeman slides up from cleanup to bat second, giving the Dodgers two right-handed bats ahead of the lefty-heavy middle of the order.

Teoscar Hernandez bats third against southpaw Chris Sale, followed by Will Smith and then Ohtani. Miguel Rojas hits sixth as the starting second baseman, and Andy Pages keeps the center field job at No. 7 after two hitless games to open the series.

Kyle Tucker bats eighth, and Enrique Hernandez draws his first start of the series at third base, with Max Muncy sitting against the left-hander. Tommy Edman, despite a career .803 OPS versus lefties, takes a seat after going 0-for-5 in the first two games.

The order gives the Dodgers a right-handed presence at the top and bottom, with Hernandez and Rojas sandwiching a stretch that leans heavily on left-handed bats against Sale. Whether the shake-up sparks Ohtani remains the central question heading into first pitch.

ROBERTS EXPLAINS THE MOVE

Roberts addressed the possibility after Ohtani struck out twice in Sunday's 3-2 loss.