Shohei Ohtani slump puts Dodgers’ NLDS fate in doubt vs Braves

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• Signs of a slump at the plate
• Dodgers depth vs. one man’s form
• What the Braves must prepare for

With the National League Division Series set to open Saturday, one question dominates the Dodgers-Braves matchup: which Shohei Ohtani will show up? The two-way superstar has not pitched since July 3, and while Los Angeles hopes for an offensive surge, recent at-bats suggest the outcome is far from certain.

Ohtani’s absence from the mound is now a known factor — barring a return in the offseason, he won’t be taking the bump in this postseason. That makes his bat the focal point of speculation: can the Dodgers still rely on him to change a short series? His recent numbers provide a mixed answer.

Signs of a slump at the plate

Since August 1, Ohtani has produced a .232/.325/.420 line with six home runs across 157 plate appearances, and his September output dipped further, hitting just .200 in 36 trips to the plate. A stint on the injured list for a sore knee interrupted the month, and while Los Angeles insists he’s trending the right way, the timing could be problematic.

Manager Dave Roberts has publicly downplayed concerns, saying the club believes Ohtani is closer to full health than he has been in months and expects improved performance. Whether that optimism is strategic reassurance or a fair assessment of recovery will be one of the series’ subplots.

From a matchup standpoint, even a half-strength Ohtani occupies a major share of an opponent’s scouting and bullpen planning — and that alone can shift the chessboard in a three- or five-game set.

Dodgers depth vs. one man’s form

The Dodgers’ offense is not a one-player operation. Los Angeles has shown it can absorb a down stretch by a marquee bat, a lesson reinforced as recently as the 2025 postseason when they advanced despite neutralizing results from Ohtani at the plate.

Several regulars appear to be returning to form:

• Mookie Betts — Reclaimed a more productive swing over the past two months after a prolonged dip.
• Will Smith — Has flashed added power late in the season, notably over a recent 21-game stretch.
• Andy Pages — Showing improved contact and timing after a rocky spell.
• Teoscar Hernández and Max Muncy — Not elite, but both have produced well above league average since August began.
• Josue De Paula (rookie) — An emergent power threat who adds depth and matchup problems for opposing pitchers.

There are question marks as well. Freddie Freeman’s performance against his former club will be watched closely, and other veterans remain streaky. Still, in a short series the Dodgers’ collective lineup can mask inconsistency from a single star.

What the Braves must prepare for

Atlanta cannot treat Ohtani as a non-factor, even if recent tape is underwhelming. Key considerations for the Braves:

• Plan for two outcomes: a resurging, dangerous Ohtani or a limited-but-difficult matchup presence.
• Protect the bullpen — if Ohtani draws tough at-bats, the Dodgers can force Atlanta into heavy reliever usage.
• Neutralize secondary threats — Betts, Smith, Pages and the rookie can exploit any lapse in Atlanta’s pitching depth.
• Exploit timing — if Ohtani’s swing still looks off, attack early counts and challenge other hitters in the lineup.

Those contingencies underline why Roberts’ confidence matters to Los Angeles and why Atlanta’s staff will spend this week balancing respect and aggression.

Ultimately, the immediate stakes are simple: a revitalized Ohtani would tilt the series odds toward the Dodgers; a continued lull makes Los Angeles’ depth the deciding factor. Either way, the matchup feels less like a foregone conclusion and more like a tightrope walk for both clubs.

Saturday’s first pitch will tell how convincing Ohtani’s return really is — and whether the Dodgers’ lineup can carry them if he’s still searching for his best swing.