Dodgers Push Shohei Ohtani’s Next Pitching Start Later in NLCS

The Los Angeles Dodgers are making some strategic moves as they gear up for the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Manager Dave Roberts has reshuffled his pitching rotation. Blake Snell gets the nod for Game 1, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the ball in Game 2, which pushes Shohei Ohtani’s pitching appearance deeper into the series.

This isn’t just about rest. Roberts wants to optimize matchups, squeeze more innings from his top arms, and give Ohtani a bit of breathing room to find his swing after a tough NLDS.

Dodgers’ Rotation Strategy for the NLCS

Rotation choices in October can change everything. Roberts keeps Yamamoto on his usual five-day rest, so he could return for a possible Game 6.

Snell, who won the AL Cy Young in 2018, brings serious postseason experience. He’s set to attack Milwaukee’s lefty-heavy lineup right from the start.

Balancing Rest and Performance

Ohtani’s start shifts further back, but Roberts made it clear: the two-way star will pitch at some point this series.

Ohtani usually needs at least six days between starts, so the Dodgers can manage his workload carefully and still tap into his unique skill set. If things go to seven games, Roberts even hinted he might use Ohtani in relief.

Shohei Ohtani’s Offensive Struggles

The rotation shuffle also ties back to Ohtani’s recent struggles at the plate. In the NLDS, he managed just 1-for-18 with nine strikeouts—a sharp drop from his usual dominance.

Roberts addressed this, telling Ohtani to “recalibrate” his swing and timing before he takes on pitching duties.

Extra Time to Refocus

Delaying Ohtani’s pitching start gives him some rare space to focus only on hitting early in the series. That could be huge for the Dodgers, since Ohtani’s bat—when it’s locked in—is one of the most dangerous in baseball.

The High-Stakes Impact on the Series

Starting Snell and Yamamoto helps the Dodgers keep their pitchers on preferred rest schedules. It also lets them place their aces in games where they can make the biggest impact.

• Yamamoto could pitch twice if the series stretches to six games.
• Ohtani’s arm stays fresh for a crucial start or a high-leverage relief spot later on.
• Ohtani gets a chance to regroup offensively before stepping onto the mound.

Postseason Chess Match

The Brewers now have to prepare for Ohtani’s eventual start—and maybe even the chaos of facing him in an all-or-nothing Game 7. That kind of unpredictability could force Milwaukee to adjust constantly, both with their lineup and pitching plans.

Roberts’ Confidence in His Star Player

Roberts’ decision shows real trust in his staff and a tactical approach to get the most out of his stars over a full seven-game series.

He’s banking on Snell, Yamamoto, and Ohtani to deliver their best when it counts the most.

Winning the Mental Game

In postseason baseball, mental preparation matters just as much as physical execution. By managing Ohtani’s workload and letting him focus more on hitting, the Dodgers are stacking their strategy to attack from several angles—offense and defense both get attention.

As the NLCS gets underway, everyone’s watching to see if this rotation shuffle actually works. If it does, maybe Roberts gets remembered as a manager who knew how to juggle his stars with perfect timing.

For now, Dodgers fans just have to hope Snell brings the energy in Game 1. Maybe Yamamoto keeps things rolling in Game 2, and Ohtani shows up late in the series with the kind of performance only he can pull off.

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