Dave Roberts surprised many when he suggested Shohei Ohtani could sit out of Wednesday's NLCS Game 3 with the Dodgers down 2-0.

On Tuesday, Roberts confirmed Ohtani would be in the lineup despite a knee injury and a significant slump that is likely related. The Dodgers are still trying all that they can to generate an offensive shakeup.

Ohtani dropped in the Dodgers' lineup again ahead of Game 3, and this time it's a first for the four-time MVP.

Here's a look at Ohtani's new placement in the Dodgers' lineup.

MORE: What we know about Shohei Ohtani's injury

Shohei Ohtani drops in Dodgers lineup

Ohtani is batting sixth for the Dodgers in Wednesday's Game 3, the lowest he's hit in a lineup in his MLB career.

The Dodgers previously slid Ohtani down to fifth in their lineup in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Braves, but he moved up to the cleanup role in Game 4 of that series and for the first two games of the NLCS.

"Shohei's all on board, whatever it takes to win," Roberts told reporters after the lineup was announced.

Roberts suggested after Game 2 that he would have a "conversation" with Ohtani about playing in Game 3, but he said Tuesday night that the superstar was "adamant" that he can find a way through this slump. Ohtani is just 3-for-20 in the postseason and hasn't hit a home run since Aug. 18, with a two-week IL stint sandwiched in the middle.

Facing Ohtani and the Dodgers on Wednesday will be Brewers left-hander Robert Gasser, who certainly isn't the kind of name L.A. starter Blake Snell is but has allowed one earned run or fewer in each of his last five outings.

MORE: How Dodgers' payroll compares to cost-controlled playoff teams

Dodgers lineup for Game 3

Here's how Roberts is approaching Game 3 for the Dodgers:

  • Mookie Betts, SS
  • Freddie Freeman, 1B
  • Teoscar Hernandez, LF
  • Kyle Tucker, RF
  • Andy Pages, CF
  • Shohei Ohtani, DH
  • Will Smith, C
  • Miguel Rojas, 3B
  • Tommy Edman, 2B

Snell will get the ball for the Dodgers, who needed the day off after burning through relievers following a short outing from Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2.