Dave Roberts moved Shohei Ohtani back into the leadoff spot for the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 15, 2026, after evaluating Ohtani's recent work and at-bats.
Roberts said the change was intended to shake up an offense that had not performed to its capability, using the phrase, "trying to shake it up a little bit." He added that he liked Ohtani's recent at-bats and felt good about Ohtani taking five at-bats. Roberts also said he did not tell Ohtani about the change, explaining, "I didn't tell him. I just posted the lineup."
Roberts stated that Yoshinobu Yamamoto would not be available out of the bullpen because the bullpen was rested and capable, giving the short answer, "The short answer, no." He rejected the idea that the Dodgers were tipping pitches, saying, "I don't think there's anything to that," while crediting the opposing hitter for a strong at-bat and home run.
Roberts described the Dodgers' identity as preventing runs while hitting and scoring, quoting, "our brand of baseball is uh we prevent runs and and we hit and score." He acknowledged that the offense had struggled in the series and said the Dodgers had two extra-base hits in the series. Roberts also mentioned working until 9:00 two nights earlier.
In discussing the deficit, Roberts said the most important factor was what the players in the room believed. He urged the team to play freely in an elimination situation because "there might not be a tomorrow," while noting that the Dodgers still had to win four games, beginning with one. Roberts recalled being a member of the 2004 team that overcame a three-games-to-none deficit, saying, "no one in that room back in 2004 thought we could win the World Series." He also identified himself as part of the only team to come back from a three-games-to-none deficit and mentioned the 2004 Yankees series.
Roberts' immediate decisions were to keep Ohtani at the top of the lineup and leave Yamamoto unavailable from the bullpen, with the Dodgers' elimination outlook dependent on winning one game first.