Shohei Ohtani’s triple was LA’s first in nearly 50 years

The Los Angeles Dodgers jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. Los Angeles won the first two games on the road despite Shohei Ohtani’s Brutal Postseason Fall. The reigning NL MVP struggled in October. But he got off to a good start in Game 3 of the Championship Series.

Ohtani gave the Dodgers an early boost with a triple in the lead on Thursday. Facing Aaron Ashby in the top of the first inning, Ohtani hit a low and visiting slider down the right field line. Running to the end, the Dodgers DH slid to third with no throw.

It was only the third Postseason triple lead in franchise history and first in 48 years, per Sarah Langs of MLB. Only Jimmie Johnson (1916) and Davey Lopez (1977) have hit triples leading off the playoffs.

Has Shohei Ohtani snapped out of a season-long slump?

Ohtani’s triple gave the Dodgers a chance to take the lead in the top of the third. And a Mookie Betts RBI double quickly put LA up 1-0 in the first inning. Brewers starter Aaron Ashby recovered on Will Smith’s hit. But Freddie Freeman forced Pat Murphy to the fence.

Murphy drew criticism for his decision to start Ashby. But rookie phenom Jacob Misiorovski was, once again, sensational in relief.

The Dodgers’ historically dominant starting pitching gave LA a 2-0 lead in the Championship Series. Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched back-to-back gems, limiting the Brewers to one run on four hits in 17 innings. The rotation’s incredible postseason performance allowed the Dodgers to overcome Ohtani’s brutal slump.

The three-time MVP looked lost in the playoffs. Ohtani entered Game 3 hitting .147/.275/.324 with just two extra-base hits and 15 strikeouts in eight postseason games. Ohtani went 3-29 with no extra-base hits and three RBIs in seven games after his two-homer performance in the NLVCS opener.

The Dodgers are hoping Ohtani’s leadoff triple is a sign he’s turned the corner. The two-way star will sweep Los Angeles in Game 4. If the Dodgers beat Milwaukee on Thursday, Ohtani could be in with a chance to win and send LA to the World Series.