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Dodgers Move Ohtani to Leadoff for NLCS Game 4 Facing Elimination
The Los Angeles Dodgers returned Shohei Ohtani to the leadoff spot for Game 4 of the NLCS on Thursday while trailing the Milwaukee Brewers 3–0. Manager Dave Roberts cited Ohtani's work ethic and modest offensive improvements in Game 3, where he reached base three times, as justification for elevating the struggling star despite his .182 postseason batting average.
Quick Facts
- Ohtani moved to leadoff position for NLCS Game 4
- Dodgers trailed Brewers 3–0 in series
- Ohtani reached base three times in Game 3 on walk, hit by pitch, and 113.5 mph single
- Roberts initially planned to give Ohtani a rest day but changed decision
- Dodgers accumulated only two extra-base hits in first three games
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The Los Angeles Dodgers elevated Shohei Ohtani to the leadoff spot for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday, as they faced elimination against the Milwaukee Brewers while trailing 3–0 in the best-of-seven series. Manager Dave Roberts made the lineup change despite Ohtani's prolonged postseason struggles, citing the player's work ethic and modest improvements in Game 3, where he reached base three times on a walk, a hit by pitch, and a 113.5 mph single up the middle.
Roberts had initially considered giving Ohtani a rest day, but the four-time MVP insisted he was close to solving mechanical issues at the plate. "The work, being here till 9 o'clock two nights ago working, the at-bats yesterday — for me, baking all that in, I felt, 'Absolutely, put him at the top,'" Roberts said, noting he did not inform Ohtani of the decision beforehand but simply posted the lineup. Ohtani's return to leadoff marked his first time in that spot this postseason and his first leadoff appearance against a left-handed pitcher since September 2.
The Dodgers' offense has struggled significantly in the series, accumulating just two extra-base hits through three games and posting a .572 on-base-plus-slugging percentage that ranked 240th among 246 teams that played at least seven games in a single postseason. Ohtani had been hitting .182 with four singles in 22 at-bats, no home runs since August 18, and seven strikeouts across seven postseason games. He had dropped to the sixth spot in the batting order for Game 3, the lowest position in a starting lineup since September 2020 with the Los Angeles Angels.
With Will Smith also elevated back into the fourth spot after his two-run double in Game 3, the Dodgers lineup featured Mookie Betts at shortstop in the second spot and Freddie Freeman at first base. Tyler Glasnow started on the mound, having made 22 regular-season starts with a 3.49 ERA after an injury-shortened season. The game began one hour earlier than originally scheduled due to an American League Division Series adjustment.
Only one team in Major League Baseball history—the 2004 Boston Red Sox under Roberts—has ever overcome a 3–0 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series. Roberts advised his team to focus solely on winning Game 4 rather than contemplating the four consecutive wins required, stating they must win each pitch, inning, and day for as long as their season remained alive.
Topics
Why This Matters
The Dodgers, down 3–0 in a best-of-seven series, face elimination with a single loss. Roberts' lineup adjustment reflects strategic risk-taking: Ohtani enters with a .182 postseason average but showed minor improvements in Game 3 (three times on base). The team's offensive output has been historically weak (only two extra-base hits in three games, .572 OPS ranking 240th among 246 postseason teams). This decision will immediately affect whether the Dodgers' season continues past Game 4; only the 2004 Boston Red Sox (under Roberts) have overcome a 3–0 playoff deficit in MLB history.
Timeline & Sources
Aug 18, 2026
WireOhtani hits last home run
Sep 2, 2026
WireOhtani previously batted as low as No. 6 (last occurrence before Game 3)
Sep 23, 2026
WireOhtani returns from injured list, platooned at leadoff
Oct 15, 2026
WireNLCS Game 3: Brewers defeat Dodgers 6-2; Brewers lead 3-0; Ohtani bats sixth
Oct 16, 2026
WireNLCS Game 4: Ohtani returns to leadoff spot; Dodgers must-win game
Related Signals
Sources
- Ohtani drops to No. 6 slot, Brewers take 3-0 lead over DodgerskyodoMediaOct 15, 2026
- Dodgers move Shohei Ohtani to leadoff spot for NLCS Game 4ESPNMediaOct 16, 2026
- Dodgers make surprising decision on Shohei OhtaniYahoo SportsMediaOct 16, 2026
- Back to basics: Ohtani returns to leadoff spot for NLCS Game 4MLB.comMediaOct 16, 2026
- Dodgers Turunkan Ohtani dan Glasnow Hadapi Brewers di Game 4bsinews.idMediaOct 16, 2026