MLB playoffs 2026: Shohei Ohtani determined to break his slump - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani prefers to do his work indoors, where the environment is controlled and the public is prohibited. Over his first nine seasons in the majors, the sight of him taking batting practice outside has been rare — reserved almost exclusively for times of prolonged failure, when desperation sets in.

Lately, though, it is commonplace.

Ohtani took batting practice on the field at Dodger Stadium late Tuesday afternoon, an off day in a National League Championship Series that has his Los Angeles Dodgers in a 2-0 hole to the hungry, feisty Milwaukee Brewers. It marked Ohtani's fourth straight day hitting outdoors, an indication of how prodigious his slump has become. And it took place moments after what Dodgers manager Dave Roberts described as a «great conversation,» one in which Ohtani was «adamant» that he was «close to finding something» and should thus remain in the lineup.

«There's just complete conviction that he's onto something,» Roberts said. «He feels like he can help us, and he can help us. For me, that's all I need to hear.»

With their season on the brink, and their quest to become the first NL team to win three straight championships slipping away, the Dodgers continue to put their faith in Ohtani.

At this point, belief is all they have.

For eight weeks, Ohtani has been a severely diminished version of the four-time MVP who dominated the sport. He hasn't homered since Aug. 18 and has slashed just .156/.283/.200 since, accumulating three extra-base hits and driving in one run. In 20 at-bats in these playoffs, he has contributed three singles, all the result of awkward swings. In the NLCS, he's 1-for-7.

And while the Dodgers' offense is struggling as a whole — they've produced a .591 OPS this