{
  "id": 14327805,
  "title": "Dodgers reveal Shohei Ohtani lineup decision ahead of NLCS Game 3",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/dodgers-reveal-shohei-ohtani-lineup-decision-ahead-of-nlcs-game-3",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-14T00:16:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dodgers-reveal-shohei-ohtani-lineup-001617373.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Los Angeles Dodgers have decided to keep Shohei Ohtani in the starting lineup for Game 3 of the MLB National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the decision despite Ohtani's recent offensive slump and ongoing health concerns. Ohtani, who has hit .150 during the postseason and hasn't hit a home run since August 18th, will bat fourth as the Dodgers aim to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole in the best-of-seven series. The decision comes with enormous pressure, as Milwaukee has taken a 2-0 lead in the NLCS. Ohtani has struggled at the plate throughout the postseason, with a .150 batting average and no extra-base hits or home runs in his first six playoff games. Despite his recent performance, the Dodgers have opted to keep Ohtani in the lineup, recognizing him as a crucial asset in their quest to reverse momentum and salvage the season.",
  "summary": "The Dodgers have been discussing benching Ohtani in Game 3.",
  "key_points": [
    "Shohei Ohtani to start Game 3 against Brewers",
    "Ohtani batting fourth despite .150 postseason average",
    "Dodgers aim to avoid 3-0 deficit in NLCS"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Doubling down on a struggling star signals the Dodgers' refusal to abandon their primary offensive engine despite a significant postseason slump and the looming threat of elimination.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SB Nation",
        "title": "The Skins Game returning in 2026 with star-studded lineup",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/the-skins-game-returning-in-2026-with-star-studded-lineup",
        "published": "2026-10-13T18:41:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}