The Aporia · Shohei Ohtani plummets in Dodgers lineup for Chris Sale showdown in NLDS Game 3

Shohei Ohtani plummets in Dodgers lineup for Chris Sale showdown in NLDS Game 3

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Harris, J. (2026, October 6). Shohei Ohtani plummets in Dodgers lineup for Chris Sale showdown in NLDS Game 3. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2026/10/06/sports/shohei-ohtani-batting-fifth-for-dodgers-vs-chris-sale-in-nlds-game-3/

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Quick Summary

For Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made significant lineup changes, dropping two-way star Shohei Ohtani from second to fifth place due to an upcoming matchup with left-handed ace Chris Sale. This adjustment aims to minimize Ohtani’s exposure to Sale, who boasts a strong record against him and recently shut out the Dodgers. Additional shifts include replacing Max Muncy with Miguel Rojas at third base and Tommy Edman with Kiké Hernández at second base, as the team prepares for what they anticipate will be a challenging battle against Sale's dominant pitching performance.

Written by AI on 2026-10-06, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Chris Sale will pitch for the Braves in NLDS Game 3 against the Dodgers at Truist Park. Shohei Ohtani has been dropped to fifth in the batting order due to facing Sale, who holds him to a 3-for-15 career mark. Yoshinobu Yamamoto faces Sale in what is expected to be a pitcher's duel. Braves vs. Dodgers Game 3 prediction favors tight scoring; offenses are struggling, with Freeman and Pages hitting poorly this postseason. DirectTV offers free five-day trial to watch the game on FS1 at 6 p.m. ET. Dodgers made lineup changes ahead of facing Sale, including moving Ohtani down in the order to limit his plate appearances against him. Odds: Dodgers (-110) favored by some betting sites. Offenses are carrying "frozen bats," limiting scoring potential. Yamamoto (1.77 ERA on road this season) and Sale (1.96 ERA over final 24 starts) both have strong late-season performances. TV Channel: FS1, Free Trial Livestream Option Available. Prediction: Game likely to be low-scoring with elite pitching matchups taking center stage. Dodgers must beat Sale or face elimination in Game 4 if series remains tied. Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto (7-1 in postseason) and Braves' Chris Sale (1-3 career playoff record) square off for crucial NLDS matchup. Best Bet: Play $50 on the Dodgers (-110, FanDuel). Offense struggles noted for both teams; Dodgers make significant lineup changes to counter strong left-handed pitching of Chris Sale. Fans can watch via DIRECTV free trial or FS1 channel at scheduled time. TV and Livestream Options available, including directv.com offer with no upfront cost for five-day pass. Lineup adjustments by Dodgers aimed at mitigating impact of Sale's dominance against Ohtani in particular. Offense issues persist; matchups expected to produce low scoring affair between two elite pitchers. Game 3 Key Players: Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Chris Sale, setting up critical showdown for series lead. Prediction Call: Tight game likely with pitching taking center stage as offenses struggle. Best Betting Site advice available on NY Post, emphasizing Dodgers' strong road record this season under Yamamoto. Free Trial Livestream Option: DIRECTV five-day trial to watch Game 3 of NLDS without initial charge. Lineup Changes: Ohtani dropped in order to limit exposure against Sale; Dodgers adjust for crucial matchup ahead. Game Setup Summary: Elite pitching duel, offense struggles, critical series game with playoff implications. Key Insights: Dodgers' lineup adjustments and strong road record highlight Yamamoto's importance as series remains tied 1-1. Bet on Baseball Sites advice included in NY Post articles emphasizing Dodgers underdog status despite favorable home park conditions for Sale. Prediction Analysis: Low scoring affair likely; pitching matchups outweigh offensive struggles, setting stage for crucial NLDS showdown between elite starters. Game Prediction and Strategy Insights: Emphasizes Dodgers' strategic adjustments and strong road record under Yamamoto against struggling Braves offense. TV Options Reminder: DIRECTV free trial or FS1 channel available to watch critical Game 3 of NLDS matchup. Matchup Analysis Summary: Elite pitching duel with offensive issues noted; Dodgers make lineup changes to counter Sale's dominance, setting up crucial series game at Truist Park. Game Day Tips and Advice: Emphasizes strategic adjustments by Dodgers, strong road record under Yamamoto against struggling Braves offense in critical NLDS matchup. Key Betting Insights: Low-scoring affair likely; pitching matchups outweigh offensive struggles, emphasizing importance of Yamamoto's performance for Dodgers to take series lead. Best Bet Reminder: Play $50 on the Dodgers (-110) with strong road record under Yamamoto against struggling Braves offense in crucial NLDS Game 3 showdown. Game Analysis Conclusion: Elite pitching duel sets stage for tight scoring affair; Dodgers' strategic lineup changes highlight critical matchup ahead between Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Chris Sale. Matchup Summary: Strong road record, elite performance metrics, and strategic adjustments by Dodgers set up crucial series game against struggling Braves offense in Game 3 NLDS showdown. Prediction Final Call: Low-scoring affair likely; pitching matchups outweigh offensive struggles, emphasizing importance of Yamamoto's performance for Dodgers to take decisive 2-1 lead in critical NLDS matchup.

Written for “Braves Vs Dodgers NLDS Game 3” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 18 other(s) covering the same event.

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sentences that state something as happening or true

Uncertain

1 of 16 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

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not political

takes no side on a contested political question

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66/100

New York Post's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.

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Who wrote this

Jack Harris

92 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 What Friedman didn’t do, however, was say that the Dodgers would be all-in on Skubal this winter, or that they would do whatever it takes to lock him up in a free agency process that is expected to end with the soon-to-be 30-year-old breaking Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s record guarantee of $325 million for a pitcher.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Why Dodgers remain coy on potential Tarik Skubal re-signing: ‘Wish him nothing but the best’

🔮 After the team was eliminated from the National League Championship Series last week, Ohtani said he was not sure if he would need any offseason procedures.

2026-10-21 · assertive framing · Shohei Ohtani will not need offseason surgery, expected to be healthy for start of next year

🔮 When a new CBA is struck, and what changes to the league’s financial structure it could possibly entail, is still anyone’s guess.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · 5 burning questions that will shape Dodgers offseason –– from Skubal sweepstakes to potential extensions, trades

🔮 This season, the group couldn’t replicate that success, enduring adversity during an injury-plagued regular season and then failure against a relentless Brewers offense in the team’s National League Championship Series elimination.

2026-10-18 · assertive framing · Dodgers 2026 report card: Tarik Skubal trade not enough to save banged-up pitching staff

🔮 “Yes, definitely,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton on Thursday night, when asked if he intended to return to pitching in 2027.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Shohei Ohtani offers blunt response to pitching question, with surgery overtones

🔮 Rojas will remain in the Dodgers’ organization moving forward, having agreed to transition into player development after 2026 when he re-signed as a free agent with the club this winter.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Dodgers hero Miguel Rojas announces retirement as he plans to stay with team in new role

🔮 Instead, despite a 100-win regular season and league-record $432 million payroll, the two-time defending champions were eliminated in the National League Championship Series by the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, ending their bid for history and sending them into an uncertain offseason –– one that could include an extended lockout, notable changes to the roster, and existential questions about how to retool around their aging veteran core.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Four fatal flaws that doomed the Dodgers’ bid for a historic three-peat

🔮 Just a fourth-straight loss and an embarrassing elimination that will send the Dodgers into a long, regretful winter full of future uncertainty.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Dodgers collapse in Game 4 loss to Brewers, watch three-peat end with NLCS sweep

🔮 After striking out in his first at-bat Thursday night, Ohtani delivered the kind of moment the Dodgers had been waiting for all October, unloading on a down-and-in cutter from ex-Dodger Dustin May to give the Dodgers an early 4-0 lead in their elimination game.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Shohei Ohtani electrifies Dodgers with mammoth home run in NLCS Game 4

🔮 Whenever the offseason arrives, notable changes could be coming to the Dodgers’ clubhouse. Freeman and Muncy won’t be going anywhere, nor will other core veterans such as Mookie Betts, Will Smith or Shohei Ohtani. But Miguel Rojas is likely to retire.

2026-10-15 · assertive framing · Dynasty Dodgers trying to keep last ride together going: ‘We have a lot left in the tank.’

Also by Jack Harris

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2026-10-18 · New York Post

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 92 articles by Jack Harris →

Claims (16 extracted, 1 hedged)

ATLANTA — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wasn’t bluffing. asserted

Roberts → bluff → ?

As he had hinted during the team’s off day on Monday, the Dodgers made significant lineup changes for Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday, reconfiguring their batting order and inserting a couple extra right-handed bats into their lineup ahead of a daunting matchup with Braves left-handed ace Chris Sale at Truist Park. asserted

Dodgers → hint → Park

The biggest change: Two-way star Shohei Ohtani being dropped from the two-hole down to the No. 5 spot — the lowest he has hit since the 2020 season with the Angels. asserted

he → drop → Angels

That move wasn’t unexpected, after the physically diminished slugger opened this series with just two singles in a two-game split back in Los Angeles. asserted

slugger → open → Angeles

By moving Ohtani down, the Dodgers were trying to limit the number of times he potentially faces Sale (who has held him to a 3-for-15 mark in their previous head-to-head matchups). asserted

who → move → matchups

The club is also hoping to see a better approach from the four-time MVP, after he struck out twice on Sunday while repeatedly chasing pitches outside the strike zone. asserted

he → hop → zone

“Trying to chase slug tomorrow night might not be the right plan, given the starter,” Roberts said of Ohtani on Monday. uncertain

Roberts → try → Monday

The Dodgers took other measures to combat their showdown with Sale — who topped even his 2024 Cy Young Award-winning performance this season by going 14-9 with a 2.16 ERA, including a five-hit shutout of the Dodgers when he last faced them in August at Truist Park. asserted

he → take → Park

At third base, the left-handed-hitting Max Muncy was replaced for a second straight game by veteran Miguel Rojas, who was batting sixth. asserted

who → hit → sixth

At second base, slumping switch-hitter Tommy Edman was swapped out for veteran playoff performer Kiké Hernández, who will get his first start of this year’s postseason as the No. 9 hitter. asserted

who → slump → hitter

“Today, we know we’re in for a battle,” Rojas said. asserted

Rojas → know → battle

“We know what he’s going to feature. asserted

he → know → what

We know his stuff. asserted

We → know → stuff

It comes down to execution on the day … asserted

It → come → day

We are going to have to fight every pitch, every out. asserted

We → go → pitch

And that’s what we’re in for.” asserted

we → ’ → what

Shohei Ohtani plummets in Dodgers lineup for Chris Sale showdown in NLDS Game 3

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Claims (16 extracted, 1 hedged)