The Los Angeles Dodgers are going for a four-game sweep of the San Diego Padres on Sunday evening. LA has pretty much ripped the hearts out of the Padres in the first three games of the series, all in different fashions, but the Dodgers’ lead in the NL West has now ballooned to 14 games, and it’s the Diamondbacks who are now the second-place team in the division.
In Saturday’s contest, Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was not in the lineup due to a back issue, but also because he pitched Friday night, so a good opportunity for Dave Roberts to get Shohei off his feet for a night.
On Sunday, the Dodgers released their lineup, and Shohei Ohtani is back in his usual spot.
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Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Back Hitting Leadoff vs. Padres
GettySACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 29: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gets showered with sunflower seeds by Teoscar Hernandez #37 after Ohtani hit a three-run home run against the Athletics in the top of the six inning at Sutter Health Park on June 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
In Saturday’s win over the Padres, Shohei Ohtani did not play. Tommy Edman was the Dodgers leadoff man, but now that Ohtani is back, he takes over his usual duties of starting the game off for the Dodgers offense.
Dodgers 7/5: “S. Ohtani DH A. Pages CF F. Freeman 1B M. Betts SS T. Edman 3B T. Hernández LF M. Rojas 2B A. Call RF E. Alfonzo C E. Sheehan SP”
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Shohei Ohtani This Season
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 16: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers simulates a throw to home after a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
As per usual, Shohei Ohtani has put his superstardom on display for this entire season.
Across 309 at-bats, Ohtani is batting .288 with 18 home runs, 50 RBI, 60 runs scored, and an OPS+ of 156. And those are just the hitting stats.
Ohtani is almost guaranteed to win his fourth straight MVP award, and he continues to improve his status as perhaps the greatest baseball player ever to live.
In the past five games, Ohtani has four hits, one home run, and three RBI. All things considered (missing one game and pitching in another), Ohtani has been relatively quiet in this Dodgers-Padres series.
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