Sports · Baseball · 54 mins ago
Dodgers return Shohei Ohtani to leadoff spot for NLCS Game 4
The Los Angeles Dodgers moved Shohei Ohtani back to leadoff for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Dodgers were trailing 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, leaving them one loss from elimination.
They need four straight wins to reach the World Series and keep their bid for a third consecutive championship alive.
Ohtani had batted sixth in Wednesday's 6-2 loss, and he has struggled at the plate while dealing with left-knee and right-biceps injuries.
Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani's recent work and improved at-bats persuaded him to put the four-time MVP at the top of the order.
The Dodgers also changed several other lineup spots after their loss, including moving Mookie Betts to second and Freddie Freeman to third.
Game 4 was scheduled for Thursday night, and a Dodgers loss would end their season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers restored Shohei Ohtani to the leadoff spot for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Dodgers entered Thursday’s game trailing 3-0 in the best-of-seven series and facing elimination.
Ohtani had batted sixth in Wednesday’s 6-2 loss, his lowest spot in the Dodgers’ order since joining the team.
Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani’s recent work and at-bats led him to put the four-time MVP back at the top of the lineup.
The Dodgers also moved Mookie Betts to second, Freddie Freeman to third and Will Smith to fourth.
- Who
- The Los Angeles Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani.
- What
- The Dodgers put Ohtani back in the leadoff spot for Game 4 of the NLCS.
- When
- Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Los Angeles.
- Why
- The Dodgers were facing elimination, and manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani’s recent work and at-bats gave him confidence in the move.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Roberts said he had planned to give Ohtani at least one game off, but Ohtani believed he was close to making a mechanical adjustment.
Ohtani batted sixth and reached base with a walk and a hit by pitch, hit a 113.5-mph single and flew out in a 6-2 loss.
With the Dodgers trailing 3-0 in the NLCS, Ohtani returned to the leadoff spot for Game 4.
- Series deficit
- Dodgers trailed the Brewers 3-0 in the best-of-seven NLCS
- Game 3 result
- Dodgers lost 6-2 on Wednesday
- Ohtani’s Game 3 lineup spot
- Sixth, his lowest start since 2020, according to ESPN
- Game 4 lineup
- Ohtani led off; Mookie Betts hit second and Freddie Freeman third
- Ohtani’s playoff batting
- Four singles in 22 at-bats, according to ESPN
10 sources
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What people are saying
Just seeing the work the last couple days, I like where his head is at
I feel good about him taking five at-bats and giving us our best chance to win and produce runs
I didn't tell him
Posts on X
Tonight's #NLCS Game 4 Dodgers lineup vs. Brewers:
Dave Roberts said he didn’t communicate with Ohtani he would be leading off today. Roberts just posted the lineup. #Dodgers #NLCS