LOS ANGELES — For the first time as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani will be in the No. 6 slot in the batting order on Wednesday when the Dodgers face the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series.
The slugging Ohtani has not hit sixth since 2020, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. In that COVID-shortened season, Ohtani played in 44 of 60 games and hit only .190 with seven home runs, while dealing with an elbow strain.
The Japanese superstar has three singles in 20 at-bats during the 2026 post-season.
Milwaukee leads the series, 2-0.
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts revealed on Tuesday that he had discussed the possibility of resting Ohtani against Milwaukee left-hander Robert Gasser in Game 3, but the slugger was “adamant” that he is healthy enough to serve as the designated hitter.
Ohtani has been plagued by right biceps and left knee injuries since June.
Kyle Tucker moves up five slots from Monday’s Game 2 lineup. He’s in the cleanup spot. Roberts also moved catcher Will Smith down two spots to seventh and inserted third baseman Miguel Rojas to replace Max Muncy in a righty-for-lefty exchange.
Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell will oppose Gasser. The Brewers will again sit Christian Yelich against the southpaw, opting for right-handed hitter Andrew Vaughn, who will serve as the designated hitter.
