Dodgers might have to consider the impossible with Shohei Ohtani as struggles compound

The Los Angeles Dodgers' offense didn't show up for Game 2 of the NLDS. Outside of solo bombs from Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy, Los Angeles went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position against the Atlanta Braves' bullpen. Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Will Smith went a combined 2-for-10 with four strikeouts.

Ohtani is the face of the Dodgers' offense, which makes him the face of their failures, too. Although he managed to poke a single into left field during his third at-bat, none of his plate appearances were pretty. He only saw three pitches in the zone out of 22 total, and he swung at eight of them.

The Dodgers changed their tune on Ohtani a few times ahead of the NLDS. Dave Roberts and LA's hitting coaches were apparently heartened by his progress after coming off the IL with biceps inflammation, but Roberts finally broke ranks ahead of Game 1, admitting he didn't know what version they'd be seeing.

It's been pretty clear throughout Games 1 and 2: they're getting the powered-down version. If his struggles continue through Game 3, the Dodgers may have to consider the impossible and bench him.

Dodgers have to consider benching Shohei Ohtani if hitting struggles persist in NLDS Game 3

Josue De Paula is on the bench as a lefty pinch-hitting threat, but it's a lot to ask for a prospect with less than 40 major league at-bats under his belt to come up and consistently perform in the clutch — we saw that play out in the last out of Game 2.

At the very least, the Dodgers could start Ohtani, give him an at-bat or two to see what the swing looks like, and then take him out and let De Paula get a few more swings in.

Roberts acknowledged that Ohtani was chasing, but health-wise, said, "I haven't heard anything other than he feels fine."

Have the Dodgers not learned anything from the debacle that led to Ohtani's IL stint in the first place? He won't willingly take himself out of a game until the circumstances are absolutely dire, so he's not too quick to be honest about how he's feeling.

The thinking here is clear. The Dodgers would always prefer to bet on Ohtani. In years past, he's always been the safest bet. What if they take him out, the offense continues to underperform, and we're left wondering what could've been if he was in the lineup?

They might just have to risk it, because with the way Ohtani's looked so far, he's not going to be able to help this team at all going forward.

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