Will Shohei Ohtani decide Dodgers' fate in NLCS?

Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers are back in the National League Championship Series for a third consecutive season.

The Dodgers will be tasked with beating the Milwaukee Brewers , who produced the best record in the league this season. This is the second consecutive season the two teams have met in the NLCS.

Los Angeles managed to sweep Milwaukee in 2025, holding the Brewers' offense to just one run in each game. Ohtani was named the series MVP, having delivered a strong two-way performance.

The Dodgers' superstar closed out last year's NLCS by pitching six shutout innings while striking out 10. He also hit three home runs in the game.

MLB teams ranked by their World Series championships

Will Shohei Ohtani need another strong performance for Dodgers to win?

Ohtani has not been healthy for a good portion of the 2026 season.

He was limited as a pitcher, and hasn't pitched at all since July 3 due to his injuries. It is unlikely that he will pitch during the postseason.

Ohtani will remain available as a designated hitter, despite dealing with knee inflammation and biceps discomfort.

The lack of pitching from Ohtani will not diminish Los Angeles' chances of making the World Series. Ohtani did not pitch during his first season with the Dodgers in 2024, but the team captured the World Series title anyway.

He spent the entire 2024 season recovering from right elbow surgery he underwent in September 2023. The four-time MVP reached several career milestones that year and created the 50-50 club after producing 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases.

Ohtani produced just two hits and a run in four games against the Atlanta Braves in the 2026 National League Division Series. He did not hit a home run but did steal a base. He was walked twice and struck out four times.