Dodgers Nation Podcast Network

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On this Wednesday morning edition of Dodgers Dougout Live, Doug McKain breaks down Dave Roberts’ decision to start Shohei Ohtani in NLCS Game 3, reacts to Ohtani’s comments on his swing and injuries, and shares what the Dodgers must do to beat the Brewers and get back in the series.

The Dodgers are down 0-2 to Milwaukee, and Ohtani is starting Game 3 despite his slump. Dave Roberts says Ohtani will start Game 3 and likely bat somewhere in the middle of the lineup, around fifth or sixth. Shohei Ohtani is hitting .150 this postseason with no extra-base hits and hasn't homered since August 18. The Dodgers are choosing to "ride or die" with him, which puts heavy pressure on Ohtani.

The data behind the slump: Shohei Ohtani's bat speed is still there, but his timing is badly off, according to MLB's analysis. His late-swing rate has jumped from about 25% to 37%, his September strikeout rate was 39%, and he has just one hit against 95+ mph pitches since August 19. DMAC compares Ohtani to "Mike Tyson fighting with both hands tied behind his back."

Risk versus the "cornered wolf" argument: The Dodgers could regret the decision if Ohtani looks hurt and goes hitless. This team thrives with its back against the wall, pointing to the 2024 NLDS comeback over the Padres and the 2025 World Series win over Toronto.

The odds and the backup plan: The likely plan is to move Ohtani down the lineup and consider Josue De Paula if that fails. Teams down 0-3 rarely come back, and the Dodgers need to win all three home games to take control.

Dave Roberts' press conference: Dave Roberts says Ohtani was never "benched," and compares the situation to giving Freddie Freeman a few days to reset in 2024. Doc says Ohtani showed "conviction" that he's close to a mechanical fix. Roberts also praises Ohtani for squaring to bunt in Game 2 and says the lineup spot depends on Brewers starter Robert Gasser.

Shohei Ohtani's comments to the media: Ohtani says his symptoms have "subdued a lot" after his time on the IL. Shohei calls the swing a "daily process" of trying different things and says he takes "full responsibility" for the results. He also says the injuries shouldn't be the reason he can't hit and that his priority is the team winning.

DMAC’s Keys to Game 3:
- The Dodgers are 2-for-26 with runners in scoring position this postseason, so they need to commit to contact.
- They should work counts against Milwaukee's bullpen, which has thrown 9⅔ scoreless innings.
- Blake Snell needs a signature start and must attack the zone, since Milwaukee had MLB's lowest chase rate in the regular season (26.9%).
- Will Smith should move down the lineup and Kyle Tucker up.

The Seventh Inning Stretch: DMAC reads fan comments, jokes about the Padres' empty trophy case, and talks favorite baseball movies like *Major League* and *Bad News Bears*. Doug predicts a Dodgers Game 3 win with full confidence.

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On this Monday night edition of Dodgers Dougout Live, Doug McKain breaks down the Dodgers’ Game 2 NLCS loss to the Brewers, including Yamamoto’s short start, Will Smith’s missed ABS challenges, Dave Roberts’ bullpen decisions, and whether the Dodgers should bench Shohei Ohtani for Josue De Paula in Game 3.

Shohei Ohtani benching debate: The Athletic reports that the Dodgers will discuss sitting Shohei Ohtani. Shohei Ohtani is 2-for-13 NLCS with four strikeouts, zero extra-base hits in six postseason games, and a bad first-inning strikeout. The Dodgers and Ohtani mismanaged his knee and bicep injuries, going all the way back to the July warning signs and the Sept. 9 IL placement.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto's short start and the ABS challenges: Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasted only 2⅔ innings and 75 pitches. Is Will Smith to blame for not using ABS challenges on two close Brice Turang pitches? The 3rd-inning ball four with a runner on second led to Christian Yelich's two-run single.

The Offensive Slump: The Dodgers scored four runs without a single RBI, helped by Brewers errors, a wild pitch and a pickoff error. Batting Kyle Tucker eighth "managerial malpractice," especially when the two worst hitters this postseason - Will Smith and Shohei Ohtani - are batting back to back.

Bullpen decisions: Why did Dave Roberts pull Roki Sasaki after one inning in favor of Kris Bubic for a lefty matchup? Contreras then homered to tie the game. On top of that, the rest of the late bullpen - Brock Stewart, Edgardo Henriquez and Justin Wrobleski - completely collapsed.

Overall verdict: The Dodgers were outhit 12-3 and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. The Brewers were better in offense, bullpen and starting pitching, and the Dodgers' stars have become liabilities. This is the group's first time trailing 0-2 in a series.

Dave Roberts postgame presser: Dave Roberts says Yoshinobu Yamamoto "just wasn't sharp" and admits he didn't love the unchallenged pitches, but defers to Smith's view from behind the plate. He owns the Sasaki decision and credits the Brewers with better at-bats and says he likes the game-three setup at home.

Katie Woo/Athletic report and Ohtani's health: A team source says De Paula would be the top candidate to DH if Ohtani sits. Right now, Shohei Ohtani is more Clark Kent than Superman, and the best thing Ohtani can do is tell Dave Roberts and Andrew Friedman if he's compromised.

Doug's proposed lineup: Mookie, Freddie and Teoscar at 1-3, Tucker cleanup, Pages 5th, De Paula in the DH spot, with Max Muncy below.

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Following the heartbreaking Dodgers loss to the Brewers in Game 2 of the NLCS, Ava Brand, Nelson Espinal, and Aaron Coloma discuss Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s short start, Dave Roberts’ bullpen and lineup decisions, Shohei Ohtani’s slump, whether to sit him for Josue De Paula, and how the Dodgers can fight back in Game 3 to keep their three-peat hopes alive.

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On this Sunday edition of the Dodgers Nation Postgame show, Doug McKain reacts to the Dodgers losing NLCS Game 1 to the Brewers, Jacob Misiorowski vs Tarik Skubal, Josue De Paula's role and more!

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On this Friday edition of Dodgers Dougout Live, Doug McKain takes a deep dive into what LA's NLCS roster could look like, Tarik Skubal pitching Game 1 again, the latest on Shohei Ohtani and more!

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