Dodgers Put Ohtani in Leadoff Spot for Elimination Game 4

Harlingen Weslaco Brownsville McAllen, TX, October 15, 2026 —

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed Shohei Ohtani in the leadoff batting position for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, with the team facing elimination. The lineup decision puts Ohtani in the first spot in the Dodgers’ batting order for the game.

The available information does not identify the Dodgers’ opponent, the game’s location or date, or the other players in the lineup. It also does not provide the series score or explain the reasoning behind the decision to bat Ohtani leadoff.

With the Dodgers facing elimination, Game 4 is a consequential point in the series for the team. The information provided does not specify what result would eliminate the Dodgers, or describe any events from the game itself. No game outcome or subsequent developments were provided.

Ohtani’s placement is the central lineup detail reported ahead of the game. The leadoff position is the first place in a team’s batting order; beyond that, no further details about the Dodgers’ planned approach or Ohtani’s role were included. The move is reported in the context of the team’s elimination situation, but no explanation from the club, manager or player was provided.

Further details about the matchup, the complete batting order and the series circumstances were not included in the information available. The report is limited to the Dodgers’ decision to put Ohtani in the first batting position for Game 4 and the stated stakes: the team is facing elimination.

Story summarized from the original created by BETH HARRIS, Associated Press on www.valleycentral.com, see more information here.

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