The Dodgers are leaning on a reshuffled lineup as they try to climb out of a 0-2 hole in the NLCS against the Brewers, and the changes put Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith lower than usual for Game 3 at home.
Mookie Betts leads off at shortstop, followed by Freddie Freeman at first base and Teoscar Hernandez in left field. Kyle Tucker bats cleanup in right, with Andy Pages in center.
Ohtani is slotted sixth as the designated hitter, then Smith hits seventh behind the plate. Miguel Rojas is at third and Tommy Edman rounds out the order at second.
Ohtani is in the lineup despite his struggles and injuries, and Tuesday’s announcement confirmed he’ll remain in the 6-hole, his lowest spot yet for the Dodgers. Smith, who has also had a rough postseason, drops to his lowest spot in a while as well.
The matchup also shaped the order. Milwaukee is starting lefty Robert Gasser, and that gives the Dodgers a reason to bump up right-handed bats Teoscar Hernandez and Andy Pages from their usual spots. Outside of the batting-order shuffle, Dave Roberts is keeping the same group from Game 2, with Miguel Rojas replacing Max Muncy at third base.
On the mound, Blake Snell gets the ball for Los Angeles in what amounts to the biggest start of his career. The Dodgers need him to deliver a strong outing if they’re going to keep their three-peat hopes alive against a Brewers club that has already seized control of the series.
Snell has put together a 1.90 ERA across 42.2 innings this year, though his postseason work has been less crisp in one outing. In Game 2 of the NLDS, he lasted just 3.2 innings, allowing one run while issuing five walks and giving up three hits.
He’ll face a Brewers lineup that has had a tough time with him. Milwaukee hitters are just 11-for-64 against Snell, batting .172 with a .274 on-base percentage and 29 strikeouts.
If Snell can handle this assignment, the Dodgers will give themselves a real chance to punch back. And if he does, his place in Dodger history will rise fast.
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