Dodgers Face Ohtani Question as NLDS Shifts to Atlanta for Game 3

The Los Angeles Dodgers head to Atlanta for Game 3 of the NLDS with the series tied 1-1 — and with an uncomfortable question hanging over their superstar. Shohei Ohtani has become a problem rather than the answer, USA Today reported Tuesday.

In Sunday's 3-2 Game 2 loss to the Braves, Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a 53% chase rate — more than half the pitches he swung at were outside the strike zone, against a season rate of 30%. He managed seven whiffs and one hard hit on 19 pitches. It gets no easier Tuesday: Atlanta sends ace Chris Sale to the mound, and Ohtani is 3-for-15 with five strikeouts in 16 career plate appearances against him.

The column floats a bold solution — rookie Josue De Paula, who debuted September 11 and hit .323 with three doubles, a triple and a homer down the stretch. Manager Dave Roberts has called De Paula "a special hitter," adding "no moment is going to be too big for that kid." The Dodgers are chasing a third straight World Series, a feat not achieved since the Yankees of 1998-2000. Whether Ohtani rediscovers himself or watches from the bench may decide it.