Editor's note: This debate was published prior to Dave Roberts announcing Shohei Ohtani will play in Game 3.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are contemplating the unthinkable.
Manager Dave Roberts shared Monday that he'll have a conversation with struggling four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani about starting on the bench for Wednesday's Game 3 of the NLCS.
The proposition seems crazy with the Dodgers facing a 2-0 series deficit against the Milwaukee Brewers.
However, Ohtani is 3-for-24 without an extra-base hit or RBI during the playoffs. He hasn't homered since Aug. 18.
Perhaps sitting Ohtani is the best move for the ailing two-way superstar and his team. Let's debate.
Absolutely not
This is Ohtani we're talking about - the reigning NLCS MVP.
Yes, he's looked like a shell of the player who's regarded as the greatest talent in baseball history. His at-bats are ugly, and his power has disappeared. He hasn't pitched in months, and he can't contribute defensively because he's limited to DH duties.
Still, Ohtani can flip a game or series in a heartbeat on a singular pitch. Over his nine-year career, he's come up with countless special moments when the lights were the brightest. Counting him out, even if he's not playing at 100%, is foolish.
The six-time All-Star clearly isn't healthy. But if he's so compromised, then why has L.A. continued to start him in the postseason? The 32-year-old likely isn't dealing with anything that could impact his long-term health. The club wouldn't jeopardize its most prized asset. The Dodgers have been cautious with Ohtani for years, especially as he returned to the mound from his second elbow surgery. So why would they stop now?
The mere presence of Ohtani changes the dynamic of the Dodgers' star-studded lineup. There's still a level of intimidation for opposing pitchers who see the name on the back of the jersey approaching the batter's box. The Brewers aren't breathing a sigh of relief because Ohtani is coming up to the plate with a pair of runners on.
L.A. needs Ohtani to win a third straight title, and he'll deliver when it matters most. - Tom Ruminski
Make the tough decision and sit him
The Dodgers no longer have time on their side in hoping that Ohtani can eventually snap out of this funk.
Two more losses against the Brewers and their season is over.
The fact that Roberts openly admitted that the team is debating benching Ohtani shows that the Japanese star is facing a difficult battle.
Los Angeles' offense has been pretty miserable this October, putting up a .591 OPS across six games. While that doesn't fall solely on Ohtani, his inability to produce in the heart of the order is undoubtedly a factor in the Dodgers' offensive shortcomings.
If Ohtani were simply working through a cold streak, I'd never advocate for him being removed from the lineup. But he clearly hasn't been right since coming off the IL. Sometimes it's OK to ignore the back of the baseball card and go with what your eyes are telling you, and it's on Roberts to take the decision out of Ohtani's hands and sit him Wednesday. Anyone watching his at-bats can see he's severely limited. Running out Ohtani in the middle of the order and expecting greatness isn't fair to him or the rest of the team.
Not only is Ohtani hitting .150 during the postseason, he's also struck out in 29% of his plate appearances. And it's not like the underlying metrics have been kind either. Ohtani has hit just two balls with an exit velocity over 100 mph this postseason, and he's hit only one ball more than 350 feet.
Inserting Josue De Paula into the starting lineup for Game 3 is a lot of responsibility for a player with 11 games of MLB experience, but the 21-year-old could be just the energizer that the lineup needs. De Paula posted a 1.081 OPS with five extra-base hits and 11 walks after being called up in September.
I understand the importance of riding it out and going down with your best players, but considering Ohtani is obviously dealing with an injury, it's time for the Dodgers to sit their star, no matter how unpopular it may be, in order to try and extend their season. L.A. has enough firepower that it should be able to win without him. - Brandon Wile
