Dodgers to Gauge Shohei Ohtani’s Availability for NLCS Game 3 Following Game 2 Loss

Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in a 7-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, leaving the Dodgers in a 2-0 series deficit.

The Los Angeles Dodgers face a 2-0 deficit in the National League Championship Series following a 7-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. Shohei Ohtani finished the contest 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and attempted a bunt in the sixth inning before striking out on a pitch outside the zone. A source told ESPN that the team will evaluate Ohtani’s status for Game 3 based on lingering injuries to his left knee and right bicep, though the plan is to play him if he deems himself healthy.

Los Angeles has struggled offensively, going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position during Game 2 and 2-for-26 throughout the postseason. Ohtani has recorded three hits in 20 playoff at-bats and has not hit a home run since August 18. Over the last eight weeks, a span that included a stint on the injured list, he has posted a .156/.283/.200 slash line.

On the mound, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was pulled after 75 pitches and eight outs. He allowed a two-run single to Christian Yelich in the third inning after issuing a bases-loading walk to Jake Bauers. The Dodgers held a brief 4-3 lead in the fifth, but Kris Bubic surrendered a game-tying home run to William Contreras. Milwaukee relievers Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe, and Trevor Megill contributed to a stretch of 15 consecutive outs to close the game.

Manager Dave Roberts intends to meet with Ohtani during Tuesday's workout in Los Angeles to discuss his physical condition. The Dodgers have now lost 15 straight batters to Brewers relievers over the final innings of the last two games. Historically, 36 of the last 38 teams to trail 2-0 without home-field advantage in a best-of-seven series have been eliminated.