Dodgers keeping Ohtani at leadoff for NLCS Game 3 vs. Mets - ESPN

NEW YORK — Despite far better numbers hitting with men on base this postseason, Shohei Ohtani won't be moved down in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets, manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday.

Ohtani is 0-for-19 with the bases empty but 6-for-8 with men on while batting leadoff during the playoffs.

«It's just funny how things change, where there was a lot of concern about Shohei not being able to get hits with the runners in scoring position — and now we're all trying to find ways… to get guys on base so he can hit, right?» Roberts said. «I kind of find that comical, a little bit.»

Neither Roberts nor Ohtani thinks there's much to the slugger's splits at the plate other than perhaps him chasing pitches a little more here or there, especially against good lefties like Sean Manaea of the Mets and Tanner Scott of the Padres. Roberts also acknowledged his leadoff man did take some bad swings against San Diego right-hander Yu Darvish in the NL Division Series.

«I was surprised with Darvish,» Roberts said. «I was surprised that he expanded versus Darvish.»

Added Ohtani through the team interpreter: «Regardless of however they are pitching to me, my plan is to stay with the same approach, as much as possible and not really be too focused on how they attack me.… If I'm feeling good and the results aren't there, then I'm not too concerned because there's luck involved.»

According to ESPN Research, Ohtani's chase rate is only slightly up from the regular season (26.6%) to the postseason (27.1%).

He was 2-for-4 in the Dodgers' 9-0 Game 1 win but 0-for-3 in the 7-3 Game 2 loss. Overall, he's 6-for-27 (.222) with five walks in the first postseason appearance of