Dodgers Keep Ohtani in Lineup, Move Him to Sixth

The Los Angeles Dodgers will keep Shohei Ohtani in the lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, while moving him to sixth in the batting order as they try to respond to a 2-0 deficit against the Milwaukee Brewers. Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Ohtani would play after the player told him he was well enough to help. Ohtani has hit fourth in each of the first two games against Milwaukee. Sixth is the lowest spot he has occupied in the Dodgers’ batting order. The Dodgers had discussed whether to bench Ohtani after their two losses in Milwaukee, Roberts said. Ohtani was 3-for-20 in the postseason before Game 3, with seven strikeouts and no extra-base hits. He also had gone without a home run since August 18, according to reports before the game. Ohtani said his injury symptoms had subdued and took responsibility for his hitting. Roberts said the player had convinced him he could contribute. Those assessments came from the two men involved; the lineup decision does not establish whether Ohtani’s production will improve. The Dodgers entered Game 3 having scored five runs and collected 10 hits across the first two games, while Milwaukee scored nine runs...