Dodgers Weigh Benching Ohtani, Trail Brewers 0-2

The Dodgers lost 7-4 to the Brewers on Oct. 12, 2026, and trail the NLCS 0-2 heading into Wednesday's Game 3 in Los Angeles. Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-4 and is 3-for-20 with no extra-base hits and seven strikeouts this postseason. After Game 2, manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani "doesn't feel great," planned a conversation to "figure out what's best for him, what's best for us," and added that Ohtani "certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it." Ken Rosenthal reported the club will consider benching Ohtani and that a team source named rookie Josue De Paula the top candidate to start at designated hitter if he sits. Ohtani has managed right biceps and left knee injuries since at least June, was on the 15-day IL in September, and has one HR/RBI since Aug. 19 after his last homer on Aug. 18 at Coors Field off Ryan Feltner. Anthony Franco noted his power has faded for months, including no homers in his final 18 regular-season games. Roberts had already moved him from second in the NLDS to cleanup. No lineup decision for Game 3 has been announced.