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Shohei Ohtani‘s slump is becoming a real problem for the Dodgers down the stretch, per Jack Harris at the New York Post. The star’s recent offensive struggles are not only tanking his MVP candidacy but also leaving our lineup anemic at a critical time in the season.

Ohtani came to Los Angeles as a generational talent — a two-way force that changes how you construct a lineup and a rotation. When he’s hot, he’s the best player in baseball. But he’s hit a rough patch, and the timing couldn’t be worse. We’ve already noted his pitching return has been delayed repeatedly due to knee and bicep issues, so having him produce at the plate becomes even more essential. Right now, he’s not doing that, and it shows in the box score and in our W-L column.

The Dodgers have struggled in close games all month, and a dormant Ohtani makes it exponentially harder to scratch out runs. His presence in the lineup used to be a threat that opposing pitchers had to respect. When that threat disappears, it trickles down through the entire order. We need him to wake up fast.

Source(s): Jack Harris (New York Post) | First reported: August 31, 2026 1:15 AM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers