Lineup shakeup in Atlanta
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts changed the team lineup for Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani moved down to the fifth spot in the batting order.
Roberts explained the adjustment was made to give the team a different look against Braves left-hander Chris Sale. Ohtani struggled against Sale in the past, going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts when Sale shut out the Dodgers earlier in the season. For his career, Ohtani is 3 for 15 against Sale with no home runs and one RBI.
Understanding the decision
The best-of-five series is tied at 1-1 after the Braves won 3-2 on Sunday night. For Tuesday night, Mookie Betts bats leadoff and Freddie Freeman hits second.
This marks the lowest spot in the batting order for Ohtani since 2020 with the Angels. Roberts talked with Ohtani on Monday night about the decision. Roberts noted that Ohtani understood completely and stated that the player wants to do whatever helps the team win.
Braves handle slumps differently
Ohtani is not the only high-profile player dealing with a slump in the postseason. Atlanta slugger Ronald Acuna Jr. is 3 for 18 in the postseason and 2 for 9 in the first two games of the series.
Atlanta manager Walt Weiss kept Acuna in the second spot of the batting order. Weiss moved Acuna from right field to designated hitter in a late lineup change, bringing Lane Thomas into the game to play right field.
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