Los Angeles Dodgers face a steep 2–0 deficit in the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers heading into Game 3 at Dodger Stadium.
Offensive Slump Deepens Across the Roster
The core of the Dodgers’ lineup has struggled to produce timely hits, going just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position through the first two games in Milwaukee. During the regular season, the team averaged 4.94 runs per game with a .257/.338/.424 slash line and 204 home runs. Against Milwaukee, those numbers dropped to 3.17 runs per game and a .193/.263/.328 batting line.
The postseason power shortage extends beyond the current series. During the National League Division Series against Atlanta, 11 of the Dodgers’ 14 runs came via the home run. When those deep drives dried up against Milwaukee, underlying offensive vulnerabilities surfaced.
Colectivamente, star hitters Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani are a combined 65-for-13 (.200) with just three runs batted in during the postseason, while Will Smith sits at 1-for-23. Outside of Kyle Tucker (.300/.391/.500) and Max Muncy’s three home runs, the rest of the batting order has experienced prolonged cold stretches.
Shohei Ohtani Seeks Timing Adjustments
Shohei Ohtani has not hit a home run since August 18, pointing to mechanical issues rather than physical ailments as the root cause of his recent power drought. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts considered a lineup adjustment before Game 3, but Ohtani convinced the coaching staff to keep him in his customary spot.
⚾ NLCS — MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN — BREWERS DEFEAT DODGERS 7–4 IN GAME 2Category: Sports / Major League BaseballDate: October 12, 2026Location: Milwaukee, WisconsinStatus: Final — Milwaukee leads the NLCS 2–0UPDATE: The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7–4…
“Creo que [conectar jonrones] es más un problema de timing y de punto de contacto,” Ohtani explained through team translators regarding his adjustments. “Para alguien que juega en las Grandes Ligas, no creo que haya un problema para batear con poder. No es tanto la condición de mi cuerpo, sino más un tema de timing.”
Navigating Milwaukee’s Relentless Bullpen
Milwaukee’s relief corps has proven particularly difficult to solve, throwing 28.2 scoreless innings in the postseason, including a historic five-inning perfect performance in Game 2. High-leverage arms like Abner Uribe, Aaron Ashby, and Trevor Megill have shouldered heavy workloads across the opening rounds of the playoffs.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized the importance of forcing Milwaukee’s starters out of games early to exploit the fatigue accumulating in the visiting bullpen. “Creo que la mejor solución es tomar una buena ventaja y mantener a esos muchachos [los relevistas estelares] en el bullpen,” Roberts said. “Pero para lograr eso, tienes que encontrar la manera de acumular buenos turnos al bate y poner la bola en los jardines.”
Blake Snell Takes the Mound in Game 3
Left-hander Blake Snell is scheduled to start Game 3 for Los Angeles, looking to replicate his dominant performance from last year’s NLCS opener against Milwaukee, where he tossed eight scoreless innings with one hit allowed and 10 strikeouts. A strong outing from Snell would offer much-needed length to a bullpen taxed heavily during Game 2.
“Una vez que cambias el momento, especialmente en casa, cualquier cosa puede pasar. No estoy preocupado,” Snell said ahead of the matchup. “[Ellos] están en una buena posición ahora, especialmente estando arriba 2-0, pero la adversidad golpea, y ahí es когда los pensamientos empiezan a correr.”
Game 3 of the National League Championship Series begins Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium.
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