Facing Sale in key Game 3, Dodgers drop Ohtani to 5th in lineup

In Game 3 of the NL Division Series at Truist Park on Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers dropped Shohei Ohtani to fifth in the batting order — his lowest starting position since September 23, 2020 — to counter left-hander Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves, with the series tied 1-1. Manager Dave Roberts also made additional lineup adjustments, starting Miguel Rojas at second base over Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández at third over Max Muncy, stacking right-handed hitters higher in the order. Ohtani entered the game hitting just .200 (3-for-15) with five strikeouts in his career matchups against Sale.