MLB’s Sonja Chen reported from Atlanta that Ohtani had not started fifth or lower since September 23, 2020, when he played for the Angels. The Dodgers also chose Rojas at second base over Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández at third over Max Muncy, putting more right-handed hitters toward the top against Sale.
Ohtani went 2-for-8 in the first two games of this series.
Manager Dave Roberts addressed Ohtani’s swing decisions Tuesday. He said trying to do too much was part of the difficulty and emphasized the importance of staying within the strike zone. The lineup change follows a September in which Ohtani appeared in eight games while managing lingering right biceps and left knee injuries, according to MLB’s account.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts for Los Angeles opposite Sale at Truist Park. The pitchers also faced each other in the teams’ final regular-season meeting on August 27. Yamamoto allowed a leadoff home run and then no further scoring across six and a third innings; Sale threw a shutout on 109 pitches.
Game 3 is scheduled for 6 p.m. Eastern on FS1, FOX Deportes and FOX One. The winner takes a 2-1 series lead, while the loser faces elimination in Wednesday’s Game 4.
Roberts has made his adjustment before the pivotal game. Ohtani remains in the lineup, but Freeman moves into the second spot and Los Angeles gives Rojas and Kiké Hernández the starts against Sale.
