THE START OF AN EPIC NLDS
According to Friedman, Shohei is feeling considerably better following his recent stint on the injured list. However, Friedman acknowledged something that should surprise absolutely nobody: Ohtani isn't always forthcoming about how he feels physically.
Tonight's Game 1 is Tarik Skubal against Jacob Misiorowski, and Milwaukee's ace has dominated the Dodgers in previous meetings, posting a 1.59 ERA with 27 strikeouts over 17 innings. That makes Shohei Ohtani's adjustments particularly important.
Is Shohei Ohtani About to Get Hot? The Dodgers Sure Hope So!
There is an old saying in baseball that hitting is contagious. Well, if that's true, Shohei Ohtani could use a healthy dose of whatever is going around in the Dodgers' clubhouse.
Let's face it, Shohei has not exactly been Shohei lately. He managed just two hits in 13 at-bats during the NLDS, both singles in the first two games. For a player who can change a game with one swing, that is hardly what Dodgers fans have come to expect.
But here's the interesting part: Ohtani is working on something specific, and it might explain why he hasn't looked like himself at the plate.
Before Game 1 of the NLCS against Milwaukee, Shohei took an unusually extended batting practice session against a pitching machine. That might not sound particularly newsworthy, but Ohtani has reportedly taken on-field batting practice only a handful of times this season.
Dodgers co-hitting coach Aaron Bates explained that the focus was on preventing Ohtani from rolling his top hand over too early. When that happens, the barrel can pass through the hitting zone prematurely, reducing the time the bat stays on the ball's path.
The goal is to get Shohei comfortable with his setup, maintain a better swing path, finish his swing properly, and avoid trying to generate maximum power with every swing.
In other words, he needs to quit trying to hit every pitch into the next ZIP code.
Sometimes, less is more, even when you're Shohei Ohtani.
But Is He Really Healthy?
Andrew Friedman has also offered some interesting insight into Ohtani's physical condition. According to Friedman, Shohei is feeling considerably better following his recent stint on the injured list. However, Friedman acknowledged something that should surprise absolutely nobody: Ohtani isn't always forthcoming about how he feels physically.
Friedman indicated that Shohei, much like Freddie Freeman and Clayton Kershaw, has a tendency to minimize discomfort because he wants to compete.
That's admirable, but it also makes evaluating his physical condition more difficult.
There is a fine line between playing through discomfort and allowing an injury to compromise your performance. It is fair to wonder whether some of Ohtani's recent struggles have been mechanical, physical, or a combination of both.
The Dodgers Need Shohei to Be Shohei
Here is what I find encouraging: Ohtani and the coaching staff appear to have identified something tangible to work on. They aren't simply telling him to relax, see the ball, and swing harder.
They're making adjustments.
Of course, understanding a mechanical problem and fixing it against major-league pitching are two entirely different things. And October is not exactly the ideal time to rebuild a swing.
Nevertheless, great hitters make adjustments. That's part of what makes them great.
If Ohtani can stay through the baseball a fraction of a second longer, stop rolling over those pitches, and let his tremendous natural power do the work, he could turn things around very quickly.
And when Shohei gets hot, he doesn't merely contribute. He can carry an entire offense.
The Dodgers have managed to advance without getting much production from their biggest superstar. Imagine what might happen if he starts hitting like the Shohei Ohtani we all know.
My prediction? Shohei is due. And if the mechanical adjustment takes hold, somebody is going to pay for it.
Hopefully, somebody is wearing a Milwaukee Brewers uniform.
What do you say? Is Shohei just going through a mechanical slump, is there something physical bothering him, or is he about to explode offensively?
The Dodgers don't need Shohei to get hot to beat the Brewers... they can have any number of other players step up... BUT it would sure make it easier if he does.
The Dodgers' and Brewers' official 26-man NLCS rosters are due this morning, Sunday, October 11, 2026, ahead of tonight's Game 1 at 8:00 PM Eastern.
MLB has not specified an exact public release time.
The big question for the Dodgers is whether they'll carry 13 pitchers and 13 position players, rather than the 12 pitchers and 14 position players they carried in the NLDS.
Dave Roberts has indicated that the Dodgers are considering adding a pitcher, meaning someone from the bench could be left off. Miguel Rojas's back injury is another factor.
For the Dodgers, the names worth watching are Josue De Paula, Hyeseong Kim, Justin Wrobleski, Jack Dreyer, and Miguel Rojas.
The series storyline also involves the Brewers' Game 2 pitcher, Logan Henderson. It is rumored that Tarik Skubal would have been a Brewer IF the Brewers had included Henderson in a deal with the Tigers. Henderson has started 23 MLB games and is 14-3 with a 2.33 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. It does not get easier after the Miz. This is going to be a hard-fought series. Everyone had better bring their A-game.
Prediction: Dodgers in seven!
Note: I had AI make the meme, and the first time it generated it, it showed Miz and Skubal as both LH. I told it to fix it, so this is the result. Sometimes AI is stupid!
Discussion (57)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Comments are closed on this post. Existing comments remain visible below.
It would be nice if the team could get some production from Ohtani. It seems to me that he decides to swing at a pitch before it is thrown. It appears that his most serious issue is pitch recognition. It amazes me that the greatest baseball player in history has such a poor ability to judge whether a pitch is going to be a strike or ball. I know hitting a baseball is one of the hardest things to do in sports. But, watching average to good players have better pitch discipline shows it can be done.
I know his swing might need some change. Sure his swing is going to be off if he swings at pitches two feet off the plate or change ups in the dirt.
When facing a LH pitcher he could look for a fastball only and make them throw a breaking over the plate. Typically, it's taking a first pitch FB right down the middle, foul off a pitch, take a breaking ball or two, and then getting frustrated and/or anxious and swinging at a breaking ball described above.
Let's see if the hitting coaches have helped Ohtani. Although it will be tough when having to face the Brewers first two pitchers in the series.
Carry on.
“What do you say? Is Shohei just going through a mechanical slump, is there something physical bothering him, or is he about to explode offensively?“
Against Misiorowski? Not likely.
I don’t consider it insightful to expect a low scoring series. The Brewers won more games and scored more runs than did the Dodgers, but not by much in either category. The Dodgers had a higher fielding percentage and a lower team ERA. It could be argued that had Ohtani and Betts not suffered month long slumps the Dodgers would have been better than the Brewers in every offensive category.
But they did have slumps that lasted months. And both Snell and Glasnow were absent for months. As was Diaz. Is everyone back now? If they are, the Dodgers in 6. If they are not? This series is evenly matched and goes to the 9th inning of game 7.
It's hard to optimistic about Shohei's mechanical adjustments when he swing at pitches that are so far out of the strike zone.
Feels like the Dodgers have a built-in excuse to lose this series: Ohtani's injury.
But we have enough talent to survive this and even have a replacement right on the roster.
I think our pitching is monstrous and we have to take advantage of potential G3/G4 match-up advantages.
MIL's is really good, as good as SD's, so we need to match zeroes with them. Advantage Brewers on defense & speed. Big advantage us on power.
Dodgers in 7 is prediction here but anything could happen. This feels like Toronto part two in terms of epicness.
IMHO Shohei is hurting a lot more than is let out. The drop off from the last two year to 2026 is too steep to only be a mechanical issue. Snell and Glasnow will be key , if they are up to their games respectively I like the Dodgers chances to win this series even if The Miz dominates.
Game 3, last year's NLCS, Miz had 9 Ks against LA in five innings. In the sixth inning he allowed 2 runs. He allowed a hit to Smith and Freeman walked. Edman singled home Smith and Freeman ended up scoring on an error by the relief pitcher. He can be wild at times. His game 1 start against SD 4 innings, 4 hits 2 runs, both earned 1 walk and 6 Ks and he made 88 pitches. Don't chase. Make him come in the zone, force his pitch count up.
I wish my wife was as forthcoming about her maladies as Shohei.
Kim out, Wrobo in
Chalk
Dodgers NLCS roster vs Brewers Starting pitchers (4): Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow
Right-handed relievers (5): Roki Sasaki, Edgardo Henriquez, Edwin Díaz, Evan Phillips, Brock Stewart
Left-handed relievers (4): Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Kris Bubic, Justin Wrobleski
Designated hitter (1): Shohei Ohtani
Catchers (2): Will Smith, Hunter Feduccia
Infielders (4): Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas
Outfielders (4): Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker, Josue De Paula Infielder/outfielders (2): Tommy Edman, Kiké Hernández
Wrobleski added as the 13th pitcher and Kim dropped
Kim off the Roster
Wrobleski added!
Sheehan screwed!
Vlad Guererro Jr. underwent laser eye surgery. Might explain his problems at the plate. I have no problem with Kim being left off of the roster, I do think Sheehan pitched better at the end of the year than Wrobo. but attitude wise, Wrobo is a beast to Sheehan's pussy cat.
Interesting stat: The Dodgers' payroll is higher than those of the Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians combined:
I like Ohtani, but I think his injury is worse than he will admit. I hope I'm wrong, but i have a bad feeling about it. He really doesn't seem to be improving at all. I wonder, would it really be wrong to give De Paula a chance at DH, although I doubt that Doc would ever consider it? Go Dodgers!
8:00 PM ET FOX
Dodgers (100-62) Brewers (103-59)
SP Tarik Skubal L 12-7 2.72 ERA SP J. Misirorowski 16-5 1.80 ERA
Confirmed Lineup SS Mookie Betts R 1B F. Freeman L C Will Smith R DH S. Ohtani L LF T. Hernandez R 3B Max Muncy L CF Andy Pages R RF Kyle Tucker L 2B E. Hernandez R
In Domed Stadium LINE LAD -112
Dodgers in 6 games
I'm not nervous. You're nervous
GIDP
Give an assist to the home plate ump on Turang’s HR. I didn’t like the pitch to Lara He was overpowered his first AB.
Waiting on the bats and a clutch hit. Everyone is complaining about Ohtani but Smith has given us nothing.
Wow, Shohei looks like dog crap. Timing, injury or combination of both, but he is not the same. Would Doc start Josue and let Shohei sit and get two days rest?
As I write this, the Dodgers are trailing 2-1 in the top of 8th. Shohei is stepping to the plate against Ashby with Smith at 1B on a walk. One out. Shohei has already singled... a good sign. Ugh. Pop up to 3B. Now it's Teo's turn. He's had two hits... but grounds out to 3B. Well, dang it. While there's a lot of chatter about Shohei needing to step up--and he does--let's remember that so far he's contributed more today than most Dodgers. He scored the Dodgers only run after earning a walk, and later had a single. Meanwhile, zero hits from Tucker, Smith and Kike. Now Chourio has another hit, and Tanner Scott is entering the game. The Dodgers need to get through this inning and put up a fight in the ninth.
Small ball! Chourio bunted to 2B. The Brewers are such a good team, and well managed. Come on, Dodgers....
Can we get another 9th inning homer from Max? Please. And then could Tucker redeem himself?? Please. And how about another clutch AB from Pages???
"Ambush the first pitch," recommends Rick Monday.
Can’t hit. Can’t hit with RISP. Can’t win!
Great game!
Tough to win with only 2 runs. Even harder to win with 1 run.