The Los Angeles Dodgers are scrambling for answers ahead of Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, reportedly considering a change involving Shohei Ohtani after the Milwaukee Brewers dealt them a double blow to take a 2-0 series lead. Manager Dave Roberts is expected to discuss the four-time MVP's condition with him before deciding whether he should play Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

The club would bench Ohtani only if he acknowledges that his lingering injuries are preventing him from performing at full capacity, per ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. The 32-year-old has been dealing with discomfort in his left knee and right biceps, with the latter issue contributing to his placement on the injured list late in the regular season.

Ohtani went hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts during Monday's 7-4 defeat. He has collected just three singles in 20 postseason at-bats, striking out seven times without recording an extra-base hit. His last home run came against Ryan Feltner on August 18, and he has gone 24 games without another.

Since August 19, Ohtani has hit approximately .157 without a home run and has driven in just one run. Over the past eight weeks, he has compiled a .156/.283/.200 slash line despite spending time on the injured list to recover.

Roberts has already moved Ohtani out of his customary top-two lineup spots, placing him fourth or fifth in recent games. If Los Angeles decidee to rest him, 21-year-old prospect Josue De Paula is the leading candidate to replace Ohtani at designated hitter.

De Paula has made an encouraging impression in limited postseason opportunities, drawing two walks in three plate appearances. He also put on a hitting clinic in Double-A, batting .303 with a .401 on-base percentage, a .547 slugging percentage and 27 home runs. The Dodgers promoted him in September after he skipped the highest level of the minor leagues.

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However, Ohtani is not the only reason for Los Angeles' offensive problems. The Dodgers went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position in Game 2 and have failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities throughout October. Milwaukee's bullpen has also been exceptionally effective, pitching 9.2 scoreless innings across the first two NLCS games.

The Brewers now find themselves in a comfortable position after winning the opening two contests. Historically, 36 of the previous 38 teams to fall behind 2-0 in a best-of-seven series were eliminated.