Dave Roberts said on September 23, 2026, that Shohei Ohtani can significantly affect a game simply by being in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup and putting pressure on opposing pitchers and coaching staff.
Roberts said Ohtani's presence affects more than at-bats, noting that he is “always looming” in the pitcher's mind, psyche, the manager and the pitching coach. He also praised Ohtani's patience after Ohtani took the first slider from Robbie Ray for a ball and reached a favorable count. Roberts emphasized that Ohtani must control the strike zone and use the big part of the field.
Roberts expects to activate Dalton Rushing on September 25, 2026. He stated that Rushing could receive at most three pinch-hit at-bats before the Dodgers decide on the roster, weighing Rushing's track record, his ability to run off the bench and the needs of a potential first-round matchup.
Roberts noted that Tyler Glasnow's ball is coming out well and that Glasnow is managing his outings effectively after returning from the injured list. Roberts stated that Glasnow was making his sixth start after the return. He added that the Dodgers feel much better about their offense because multiple hitters are producing simultaneously and the lineup is controlling the strike zone, with Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez and Kyle among the players mentioned.
Roberts said the Dodgers were expected to surpass four million attendees for the second consecutive year across 81 home dates. He also stated that the Dodgers were pursuing a third consecutive World Series appearance and explained that a five-game series creates less need for extra pitching than a subsequent series.
Roberts has not finalized whether Ohtani will remain in the leadoff spot or rotate between first and second depending on the pitcher, leaving that lineup decision among the Dodgers' remaining plans.