Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Breaks Down Shohei Ohtani’s Struggles in NLDS

The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the Philadelphia Phillies, two games to one, in the National League Division Series.

However, they’ve won in spite of superstar Shohei Ohtani, who’s struggling at the plate through the series’ first three games.

Ohtani, who pitched in NLDS Game 1, has had 15 plate appearances through the first three games. He has just one hit and one walk while striking out seven times. He’s hitting .071 with an OPS of .205.

After Wednesday’s game, in which he went 0-for-5 with a strikeout, manager Dave Roberts was asked about his superstar’s struggles.

“I just think that his plate, his decision making hasn’t been good,” Roberts said.

“You can see, it’s balls in/off, and he’s really not giving himself a chance to hit a mistake. I just think that he’s in between a little bit, but the swing decisions are just not where they need to be right now. That’s kind of what I see, decision making.”

The Phillies have thrown three great left-handed pitchers at the Dodgers in Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo and Ranger Suarez. Roberts admitted that he believes that’s “part of it.”

However, while Ohtani’s numbers were considerably worse against left-handers this season, they were still well above average. While Ohtani had a 1.076 OPS against righties, he had a .898 OPS against lefties.

Ohtani is scheduled to pitch in a potential Game 5, but on Thursday, all his focus will be on getting the Dodgers’ offense jumpstarted in what feels like a must-win game for LA.

San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Brock Purdy Is Not Worried About Mac Jones Taking His Job

Brock Purdy warms up before an NFL Preseason game between the Chargers and 49ers on August 23, 2025.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones had had a hot start to the 2025 season filling in for injured starter Brock Purdy which has led to a lot of chatter around the football world about if there is a quarterback controversy in San Francisco.

But according to 49ers general manager John Lynch, that chatter is not bothering Purdy one bit.

Lynch on any potential tension in the quarterback room:

"A cool quality about Brock Purdy is he's one of the most self assured, humble people. It's one of the things that appealed to us… I think we all feel fortunate that we found a backup who can go in and play like a… pic.twitter.com/LHByyFymwk

— KNBR (@KNBR) October 9, 2025

“A cool quality about Brock Purdy is he is one of the most self assured, humble people,” Lynch said on KNBR’s Murph and Markus show on Thursday October 9. “It’s one of the things that appealed to us…I think we all feel fortunate that we found a backup who can go in and play like a starter and earn us tough hard fought wins.”

In that one quote, Lynch simultaneously reassured 49ers fans that the organization still clearly views Purdy as the starter and Jones as the backup, and said that even if there turns out to be a QB controversy in SF, he expects Purdy to be nothing but the most supportive and professional guy in the locker room.

Regardless of how you feel about the 49ers quarterback situation and how it plays out from here on out, Purdy’s humility is great for team culture.

Purdy’s Humility Has To Do With His Christian Faith

Being self confident and team first is hard to do when it feels like the whole world believes you should lose your job.

And yet, Lynch said that Purdy has remained that way. How is that possible?

If the past is any indication, Purdy’s Christian Faith is likely what is behind his ability to have a good mindset amidst this situation.

Purdy leaned on his faith when the 49ers drafted him last in the 2022 NFL draft, giving him the title of Mr. Irrelevant, which is something that he talked about with legendary college football quarterback Tim Tebow on a podcast back in 2024.

“So grateful for that, being drafted last, and for [God] to be able to choose me to have this kind of story,” Purdy said. “For my glory? No, for His glory. So that’s what brings me joy.”

It seems like no matter what happens to Purdy, he is going to approach his new situation with humility and gratitude.

Mac Jones Has Also Been Humble, Supportive Of Purdy

The humility of the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback room is a culture that goes beyond just Purdy.

Mac Jones has downplayed the idea of a QB controversy several times in his public comments.

Even after Jones and the 49ers’ most recent win against the Los Angeles Rams, a game in which Jones played the best football in his career and had every reason to feel full of himself, Jones strongly reiterated that he sees himself as the backup QB.

“They brought me here to be a backup,” Jones said. “That’s my job. Brock is the starter of this team. Right now he’s dealing with something, and for him to go out there last week and play, when you know he probably wasn’t at full health, he cares about this team.”

Mac Jones was asked if he views himself as the starting QB going forward:

"Brock's the starter of this team … I'm just trying to get some wins for him so it helps us down the line."

He has also said in recent weeks that he and Brock are good friends, a relationship that started before the two even played together on the 49ers.

“Brock’s one of my best friends and I want him back out there,” Jones said.

49ers fans could learn a great deal from the public comments of Mac Jones and Brock Purdy, and just support both guys and root for them both to have success and the highest possible level.

Because they’ll certainly cheer one another on.

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