MLB
Dodgers drop Shohei Ohtani to fifth for NLDS Game 3
Los Angeles changed its batting order against Chris Sale, with Mookie Betts leading off and Ohtani at designated hitter.
The Los Angeles Dodgers moved Shohei Ohtani to fifth in their batting order for Tuesday’s National League Division Series Game 3 against the Atlanta Braves.
Mookie Betts led off against left-hander Chris Sale, followed by Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández and Will Smith. Ohtani remained the designated hitter.
It was Ohtani’s lowest starting position in a lineup since 2020 with the Angels, according to Eric Stephen of True Blue LA. Miguel Rojas started at second base in place of Tommy Edman, while Kiké Hernández replaced Max Muncy at third.
The series entered Game 3 tied 1–1. Sale faced Yoshinobu Yamamoto at Truist Park, the pitching matchup covered in TSP’s Game 3 preview.
Sources and notes
- Eric Stephen / True Blue LA lineup report: https://www.truebluela.com/los-angeles-dodgers-news-notes/126229/shohei-ohtani-dodgers-lineup-nlds-game-3
- Yahoo Sports announced lineups and original reporting: https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/live/dodgers-braves-box-score-live-updates-starting-pitchers-news-highlights-stats-where-to-watch-game-3-nlds-210000747.html
- Official MLB starting lineups, checked October 6: https://www.mlb.com/starting-lineups
- Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times photograph source: https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2026-10-06/shohei-ohtani-dropped-batting-order-nlds-game-3
