# Dodgers Grapple with Ohtani's Role After World Series Loss

> Dodgers face tough choice: keep Ohtani as two-way star or shift to hitter role after World Series dreams collapse.
- Title: Dodgers Grapple with Ohtani's Role After World Series Loss
- Summary: Dodgers face tough choice: keep Ohtani as two-way star or shift to hitter role after World Series dreams collapse. Dodgers must decide whether to prioritize…
- Keywords: shohei ohtani, los angeles dodgers, mlb, world series, brewers, postseason, two-way player, knee injury, sports, Dodgers, Grapple, Ohtani's
- Source: EssentiallySports — https://essentiallysports.com/mlb-baseball-news-ill-die-on-that-hill-dodgers-face-a-tough-shohei-ohtani-call-after-world-series-dreams-fall-apart
- Author: Utsav Gupta
- Published: 2026-10-17T23:59:16+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: shohei ohtani, los angeles dodgers, mlb, world series, brewers, postseason, two-way player, knee injury, sports
## Ohtani's Postseason Struggles
Ohtani hit just .160/.284/.253 in 88 plate appearances after August 18, striking out ten times in October.
## Dodgers Analyst's Warning
Doug McKain says Dodgers need Ohtani as a hitter to win World Series, not a pitcher.

> So I will take it to my grave. I will die on that hill. If the Dodgers had the best version of Shohei Ohtani, the hitter, like we saw last year, they would have beaten the Brewers. They would have won the World Series
## Ohtani's Pitching Record
Ohtani posted 1.79 ERA with .179 opponent batting average over 85 2/3 innings.
## Ohtani's Injury Concerns
Ohtani's June knee injury followed by poor hitting suggests dual role may have contributed to decline.
## Team's Postseason Struggles
Dodgers had .148 batting average with runners in scoring position during NLCS, out-homered 7-1.
## Ohtani's Future Role
Dodgers must decide whether to keep Ohtani as two-way star or shift to hitter role for next season.
## Key takeaway

Dodgers must decide whether to prioritize Shohei Ohtani's hitting potential over his pitching role after losing World Series to Brewers.