Key Highlights:
- The Milwaukee Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, halting Los Angeles’ bid for a World Series three-peat.
- Shohei Ohtani faced an injury-plagued second half, managing just a .200 batting average in September and hitting 5-for-26 across eight postseason games.
- MLB analyst Fabian Ardaya urged the Dodgers to reconsider managing Ohtani’s dual hitting and pitching workload as the superstar approaches age 33.
Dodgers Face Offseason Dilemma Following NLCS Elimination
The Los Angeles Dodgers are confronting complex roster decisions regarding Shohei Ohtani after their pursuit of a third consecutive World Series title ended abruptly. The Milwaukee Brewers completed a sweep of Los Angeles in the National League Championship Series, capturing the pennant and punching their ticket to the Fall Classic for the first time since 1982. While Ohtani briefly energized the Los Angeles dugout in Game 4 with a second-inning, three-run home run that built an early 4-0 cushion, the Milwaukee Brewers rallied back for a 6-4 victory to close out the Dodgers’ postseason run.
The postseason exit concluded the Dodgers’ drive for a historic championship three-peat and cast a bright spotlight on Ohtani’s late-season production drop-off. The baseball world has begun to scrutinize whether the physical toll of fulfilling dual responsibilities as both a designated hitter and a starting pitcher accelerated the star’s downturn down the stretch of the campaign.
Health Battles and Plummeting Late-Season Production
Ohtani encountered multiple physical setbacks that disrupted his rhythm during the regular season. The two-way phenom dealt with knee inflammation that aggravated during his mound duties, alongside bouts of neck and biceps soreness. These ailments prompted the Dodgers to shut down his pitching appearances entirely following his July 3 outing.
The physical obstacles mounted in September when Ohtani tweaked his arm, landing on the injured list for the first time in his Dodgers tenure. That injury restricted him to just eight regular-season games in September, during which he posted a .200 batting average alongside one RBI and three runs scored. Those offensive struggles carried into October; over eight postseason contests, Ohtani went 5-for-26 with one home run, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Although his Game 4 blast ended a lengthy home-run drought, it was not enough to salvage the series against Milwaukee.
Analyst Urges Strategic Overhaul of Two-Way Duties
Given the wear and tear exhibited on the field, MLB analyst Fabian Ardaya highlighted that the Los Angeles front office must critically assess how they structure Ohtani’s workload as his career reaches an important pivot point.
“He just was not the same guy this season,” Ardaya said to Foul Territory. “Even before the injuries started to pile up, and then he clearly wasn’t the same guy from August on. So, yeah, I think there’s going to have to be some re-evaluation of how they scheduled this out, how they have him doing both.”
Ardaya noted that Ohtani still desires to perform as both a pitcher and a hitter, suggesting that Los Angeles may need to rethink his preparation calendar going forward: “He said he still wants to do both; he still wants to pitch. Do you sort of treat it like 2025 again, where you start the season as a full-time hitter, and starting in June you start layering on the pitching side of it? I wonder if that is a way that they approach this going forward.”
Why This Matters
Managing two-way demands requires unprecedented physical conditioning, and balancing those roles becomes significantly more complex as elite athletes age. With Ohtani turning 33 next season, the Dodgers organization must balance his competitive drive against the natural physical decline associated with veteran status. The front office faces urgent medical decisions entering the winter, including evaluating whether the superstar requires further medical interventions or surgical procedures. How the Dodgers design his schedule for 2027 will not only shape the remainder of his historic career but also define the franchise’s championship window in the National League.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of the NLCS between the Dodgers and Brewers?
The Milwaukee Brewers completed a sweep against the Los Angeles Dodgers, eliminating the defending champions 6-4 in Game 4 and advancing to their first World Series since 1982.
How did Shohei Ohtani perform in the postseason?
Across eight postseason games, Ohtani recorded five hits in 26 at-bats (.192 average), hitting one home run, driving in three runs, and scoring three runs.
Why did the Dodgers stop Shohei Ohtani from pitching during the season?
The Dodgers shut Ohtani down from pitching following his July 3 outing due to knee inflammation that worsened while on the mound, combined with neck and biceps soreness.
