It's unwise to read too much into preseason results. Rotations aren't set, guys are asked to do things they won't do during the season, and teams experiment with sets and lineups we won't see when the games count.
But it's been a rough preseason for Bronny James. In nearly 70 minutes across four games, he has scored just 11 points on 26.7% from the floor, and he is 1-of-7 shooting from 3-point range, with 13 assists but 12 turnovers. After the Lakers preseason game against the Warriors in Las Vegas Tuesday, coach JJ Redick was honest — but with a positive spin — about Bronny's preseason.
"I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us, but I don't think he's played well in the four preseason games. But he's had good practices," Redick said. "Again, some of it is just rhythm, some of it is who he's playing with. He's played a lot of minutes, especially in the second half of games with our two-way guys... I think that is not necessarily setting him up for success."
Bronny was nowhere near NBA-ready when the Lakers drafted him No. 55 in 2024 (coming off a serious health scare and being handed a three-year contract), but NBA talent evaluators have given him approving nods for how much he has developed in the past two seasons. He has clearly put in the work. As one league source told NBC Sports at Summer League, "He was two years away from being two years away when they drafted him, but now he's looking almost like an NBA player. He might stick."
Bronny has always been an active defender and is physically strong, but as a 6'2" guard in the NBA, that only gets you minutes if you can shoot the rock, too. That improved last season, he shot 38.6% from 3, on limited chances. Shooting has always been Bronny's issue, and the preseason results are not promising.
It's hard to envision what Bronny's role will look like this season, although he will get the opportunity to prove that this preseason was just a fluke at some point. He needs to capitalize on that. Bronny's contract is fully guaranteed at $2.3 million this season, but next season includes a team option with only $1.25 million of his $2.3 million guaranteed. It's also worth noting the Lakers have 16 players under contract right now and have to trim that by one before the season opens next week. They reportedly have been exploring possible trades for end-of-the-bench players, but could be forced to waive someone.
However, Ohtani was dropped down to the No. 6 spot in the order amid his injury-hampered 3-for-20 slump in the playoffs, the lowest he had been slotted in his Dodgers career.
“I think it’s just more of what gives our lineup the best balance,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Shohei’s all on board. Whatever it takes to win.”
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani strikes out against the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning in Game 2. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The move came with the club facing a 2-0 series hole to the Milwaukee Brewers in the best-of-seven NLCS.
It was another of sign that — despite their proclamations that he is close to turning things around — the Dodgers are uncertain about exactly what they will get from the two-way star, who was coming off his worst performance of the playoffs in an 0-for-4, two-strikeout clunker in Game 2.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani returns to the dugout after grounding out during the third inning of Game 2. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Ohtani was not the only change the Dodgers made to their order. Another slumping bat, catcher Will Smith, slid to the seven-hole after starting the postseason in a 1-for-23 rut. Left-handed-hitting third baseman Max Muncy was replaced in the lineup at third base by right-handed-hitting Miguel Rojas, a platoon switch made to combat the Brewers starting left-handed pitcher Robert Gasser.
Elsewhere, Kyle Tucker was moved into the cleanup spot and Andy Pages was shifted to the No. 5 spot.
“I love the length of the lineup,” Roberts said. “I think that Kyle has been –– throughout his career and currently –– agnostic with pitchers, left versus right. Gasser is a guy that they’re probably going to run two times through the lineup, and if it gets a little bit beyond that, I like Kyle there.”
It was all part of the Dodgers’ efforts to shift momentum in the series, and find better answers against a Brewers pitching staff that has held them to just five runs and 10 hits in the first two games of the NLCS.
“We all know what’s at stake … There’s some pressure there,” Roberts acknowledged. “But you’ve got to embrace this. I think for me, it’s just focusing on today. Because I think, when you start thinking about we’ve got to win four games, I get nervous. But I think that we can manage winning a game tonight.”
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 11: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during Game One of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Sunday, October 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The NLCS resumes at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, with the Dodgers looking to embark on a comeback down 2-0 in the series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The top three in the lineup remain the same, as Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernández hit in the top three spots. The middle of the lineup received an adjustment that comes as little to no surprise with how Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith have hit in the postseason.
Kyle Tucker moves up to cleanup in the starting lineup, the highest spot in the order he’s been placed in this October. After a rough regular season, Tucker has found his stride at the plate at the bottom of the lineup, slashing .300/.391/.500 with a home run and two RBI over six games. Tucker has faced Milwaukee’s Game 3 starter Robert Gasser twice in his career, collecting three hits across six at-bats including a home run.
Andy Pages has also impressed at the plate this postseason, turning the page on what was a historically awful title run at the plate last year. The 2026 All-Star has five hits across 20 at-bats, with his highlights being his go-ahead, two-run single in Game 4 of the NLDS and for getting the Dodgers on the board against Jacob Misiorowski in Game 1 of the NLCS. Pages has gone hitless since his Game 1 RBI single, but he moves up to fifth in the lineup against Gasser, also the highest spot he’s hit in the postseason this year.
The elephant in the room is Shohei Ohtani getting moved all the way down to sixth in the lineup. Ohtani was adamant about playing in Game 3, and Dave Roberts ultimately granted his wish.
“He’s adamant he feels good enough to be in there. He’s close to finding something with his swing. I feel great about it,” manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday just before the Dodgers workout at Dodger Stadium. “He was very convicted that he is onto something mechanically. He was adamant that he can help us. He’s well enough to help us win a baseball game. So that’s all I needed to hear.”
Try as he might to will his way into the lineup, Ohtani has been a detriment offensively since hitting his final regular season home run on Aug. 18 in Denver, and he’s carried that funk over the team’s six playoff games slashing just .150/.261/.150 with zero RBI. Ohtani had never hit as low as second in the lineup until Game 3 of the NLDS, and it’s the first time Ohtani is hitting sixth in the lineup since Sept. 19, 2020 back when he was with the Angels.
Will Smith has also struggled mightily this October, and he slides all the way down to seventh in the starting lineup. Miguel Rojas gets the start at third base over Max Muncy against the left-hander Gasser, and Tommy Edman gets the start at second base, rounding things out in the lineup. Blake Snell makes his first start since getting the ball for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.
Mookie Betts understands what Shohei Ohtani is dealing with in this National League Championship Series.
Betts knows what can happen to a once-dangerous swing when a hitter takes the field with physical limitations.
Two years ago, Betts was struck by a 98 mph fastball and fractured his left hand.
“It’s really, really hard,” Betts said. “It took me almost like two years before I was able to really kind of feel normal again and get those bad habits out.”
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts waits by the batting cage during a workout ahead of Game 3 of baseball’s National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
Before he was placed on the injured list in September, Ohtani said he was experiencing discomfort in his right arm and left knee. Asked on Tuesday what was bothering Ohtani, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “It’s everything.”
“When you’re hurt, you just want to play,” Betts said. “So you’ll make adjustments to the swing or to your body so you can play. Then you don’t want to hurt while you play, so you make the adjustments to where your body doesn’t feel it. Sometimes it’s to the detriment of who you are as a player, and you don’t really realize it.”
Betts imagined that navigating the situation would be more difficult for Ohtani because of his stature.
“I couldn’t imagine really kind of having the expectations that he has and falling short in a way that it’s not normal for him. Then having to come back and be present in this postseason knowing how important he is to the boys.”
“He’s trying,” Betts said. “It’s just really, really hard. It’s really hard to make these slight adjustments in this short amount of time. Like I said, it took me almost two years. I feel for him. I know he’s grinding, he’s working. So we’ll just see. We’ll see how he comes and prepares.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani swings at a pitch during the third inning of Game 2 of baseball’s National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, in Milwaukee. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
“But I know he’s giving it his all. We know he’s giving it his all. We can at least lay our heads on a pillow at night knowing that we’ve given it everything.”
Kick It Out statement: managers should ‘set the tone’
Head coach said delay in Swansea game ‘killed momentum’
The Millwall head coach, Alex Neil, has been criticised by the anti-racism campaign group Kick It Out after complaining that a stoppage in play over alleged racist abuse “killed the momentum” in Tuesday’s home defeat to Swansea City.
The Championship fixture was suspended for around seven minutes after reports of abusive chants being aimed at the Swansea midfielder Eom Ji-sung. The referee, Edward Duckworth, halted the match in the 65th minute before speaking with both teams’ managers, the fourth official and a safety officer.
On the latest episode of The Mets Pod, Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo are in full offseason Mets mode, with a focus on free agency and what comes next.
The guys talk Tarik Skubal, Ty France and other free agency options, plus play some voicemails that kick off conversations about Francisco Lindor, Francisco Alvarez, and Bryce Harper.
"Down on the Farm" features the future for Jefferson Rojas, while the Mailbag delivers questions about how quickly the Mets can turn things around and the potential pursuit of Japanese star slugger Teruaki Sato.
Be sure to subscribe to The Mets Pod at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
PSG led 3-0 at the break after a breathtaking first half and held on despite an improved City display
2 min: Cherki is caught dozing by Dembélé, who sends Doué scampering down a cul-de-sac on the left. Cherki will be pleased Khusanov was on point there.
PSG, in their blue shirts with red central panel, launch the kick-off in their usual rugby-union style. City in their sky blue.
The Dodgers return home tonight for Game 3 of the NLCS in must-win mode.
After two games in Milwaukee, the reigning World Series champs are down 0-2 to the 103-win Milwaukee Brewers.
In Monday’s Game 2, the Brewers rallied to overcome three separate deficits for a 7-4 victory. In the win, catcher William Contreras because just the fourth player in MLB history with three separate game-tying or go-ahead hits in a postseason game, and the first since Sandy Alomar did so for Cleveland in the 1997 ALDS.
In the history of best-of-seven postseason series, teams holding a 2-0 lead have gone on to win that series 79 times (out of 95 total), so the Dodgers have their work cut out for them to keep hopes for a three-peat alive.
Here’s how to tune in to the Game 3 of the NLCS for free without cable.
Brewers vs. Dodgers start time
Game 3 of the Brewers vs. Dodgers NLCS is scheduled to begin today, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET.
How to watch Brewers vs. Dodgers NLCS Game 3 for free
If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the NLCS for free.
DIRECTV is our favorite service for trying live TV for free. Right now, you can take advantage of a five-day free trial before saving $30 on your first month. We recommend the Choice plan, which includes FOX as part of its 125+ channel options.
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Brewers vs. Dodgers starting pitchers
Robert Gasser (5-5, 3.87 ERA) will start for the Brewers. Blake Snell (4-1, 1.90 ERA) will be on the mound for the Dodgers.
Brewers vs. Dodgers NLCS schedule
Game 1: Brewers 2, Dodgers 1
Game 2: Brewers 7, Dodgers 4
Game 3: Oct. 14, 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET (FS1)
Game 4: Oct. 15, 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET (FS1)
Game 5: Oct. 16, 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET (FS1)*
Game 6: Oct. 18, 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET (FS1)*
Game 7: Oct. 19, 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET (FOX or FS1)*
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 14: Geraldo Perdomo #2 and Ildemaro Vargas #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 14, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I know this was mentioned briefly in James’s Snake Bytes, but I figure it deserves a piece of its own. The nominees for this year’s Gold Gloves were announced this morning, and there are four D-backs among the finalists for the National League. Each team’s manager and up to six coaches on his staff vote from a pool of qualified players in their League and cannot vote for players from their own team. Those votes represent 75% of the final, with a sabermetric component, the SABR Defensive Index, comprising the remaining 25 percent of the total.
Catcher: Gabriel Moreno
Also nominated: Freddy Fermin, San Diego Padres and Luis Torrens, New York Mets. The guy who probably should feel hard done by here, is the Marlins’ Joe Mack, who on Fangraphs’ table, led the league in Def, was the best pitch framer, and was third in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). With him out of the picture, it’s pretty close between the three candidates. Torrens is top in Def, but Moreno has the edge in DRS. He also played 200+ more innings at the position than the two other nominees. On the other hand, might be best for the team if Gabby were not to win, because it would only jack up the price of any contract extension.
Shortstop: Geraldo Perdomo
Also nominated: Masyn Winn, St. Louis Cardinals and Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs. Again, did Miami somehow irritate the voting committee? Because the Marlins’ Otto Lopez has as good a case as, say, Swanson, matching him in DRS and slightly better in Def. Winn is probably the man to beat here, leading just about across the board in the metrics. He also has the advantage of being the incumbent, after winning the Gold Glove in 2025, and I’d be quite surprised if Perdomo were to prevail, although he did play more innings at short than anyone in the NL this season. Still, a nice honor for a season generally regarded as underwhelming, after his monstrous 2025.
A quick note on the absence of Nolan Arenado among the 3B candidates. While his fielding percentage of .975 was top four, the more advanced numbers were less impressed. He was only sixth by Def, and DRS actually had him in negative territory, at -4. Mind you, Max Muncy was nominated, despite being distinctly “Meh” as well.
Right field: Corbin Carroll
Also nominated: Carson Benge, New York Mets and Seiya Suzuki, Chicago Cubs. It’s definitely gratifying to see how far Carroll’s defense has come. He was a nominee last year, and even that was impressive, considering his arm strength in particular received mediocre grades as a prospect and in his early major-league days. That may still be an issue – his rARM is -3 – Carroll has worked around it very well. While this is likely Suzuki’s award to lose, Carroll did lead the league at the position in Outs Above Average, and was a strong second to Suzuki in DRS (14-12). Def disagrees, however, rating Carroll below average at -0.7, good enough only for sixth place.
Utility: Ildemaro Vargas
Also nominated: Mauricio Dubón, Atlanta Braves and Jared Triolo, Pittsburgh Pirates. This is a relatively new award, having only been added in 2022, and is not one which is voted on by managers and coaches. Instead, utilizing the SABR formula and additional defensive statistics, Rawlings will select one utility winner from each League. So it’s really hard to say how this one will go. Triolo was the 2024 winner here, and Dubón won it in the AL last year, as a member of the Astros. I’ve a feeling it’ll probably be one of them. But if you’d told me at the beginning of the year that Vargas would be a Gold Glove finalist, after winning NL Player of the Month in April… Yeah. #YouCantPredictBaseball
The winners will be unveiled during a one-hour, special-edition Baseball Tonight broadcast on ESPN Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Arizona time.
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has struggled throughout the postseason and is 1-for-7 in the NLCS. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
But the Dodgers evidently still believe in Ohtani and so does a former pitcher.
Alex Wood, who retired from baseball in 2025, scoffed at the drama surrounding the possibility of Ohtani being benched for Wednesday’s game against the Brewers.
“All this Ohtani and being in the lineup nonsense lol. Bet he homers at least once tomorrow,” Wood wrote in a post on X.
All this Ohtani and being in the lineup nonsense lol. Bet he homers at least once tomorrow.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani speaks during a news conference ahead of Game 3 of baseball’s National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. AP Photo/Jae C. HongAlex Wood #57 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers. Getty Images
Wood pitched for the Dodgers from 2015-2018 and returned for a second stint with the organization in 2020, where he became a World Series champion.
Though the left-hander was a Dodgers player before the Ohtani era in Los Angeles, Wood is evidently confident in Ohtani’s ability to bounce back when it matters most.
The Dodgers are on the brink of elimination with Milwaukee leading the NLCS two games to none.
Wood was apart of the Dodgers team that begun the championship dynasty at the start of the decade. Ohtani and other stars have been tasked with carrying the torch and are on a quest to complete the three-peat, but the fire is quickly dimming if the Dodgers can’t muster a win Wednesday.
Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, or maybe it’s genuine confidence, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts truly believes that he’s about to break out of skid, batting just .150 in six postseason games without an extra-base hit.
“What I saw [Tuesday] was even more focus,’’ Roberts said. “He expects a lot from himself obviously, and he hasn't performed to his expectations. It's up to all of us to do our jobs, but I will say this: this was a different look from Shohei.
“He was determined, and that's an understatement."
Ohtani, who has never batted sixth since joining the Dodgers, understood the reasoning why he was dropped from the order where he has traditionally batted leadoff or second. He batted cleanup the first two NLCS games against Milwaukee until being informed Tuesday that he’d be dropped in the order.
Roberts also dropped catcher Will Smith, who batted third and fifth in the two games, while right fielder Kyle Tucker moved up to the cleanup spot.
“I think it's just more of what gives our lineup the best balance," Roberts said, “separating the lefties, the righties, just making it a little bit more difficult for them to try to navigate our lineup. Shohei's all on board. Whatever it takes to win.’’
Certainly, whatever move Roberts makes with Ohtani is international news_with the possibility of Ohtani even being benched reverberating all of the way to Japan – but Roberts certainly understands the scrutiny.
“It's different than any player, you might argue, in any sport right now because he's a global phenomenon,’’ Roberts said. “So anything he does is newsworthy, I understand that. You've got to be careful with your words because things get taken out of context, which I understand.
“I will say this, as far as him as a person, he couldn't be more of a team player, more agreeable. … God he couldn't be more of a joy. But I think on the external stuff, certainly it's tougher to manage, and I've got to be mindful. But man, this guy is great for our game. He's great for all of us."
And despite his struggles, batting knee and biceps problems that has kept him from pulling a ball for an extra-base hit since Aug. 26, the Dodgers still believe he’s going to come through it.
“I couldn't imagine really kind of having the expectations that he has,’’ Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts says, “and falling short in a way that it's not normal for him. Then having to come back and be present in this postseason knowing how important he is to the boys.
“He's trying. It's just really, really hard. It's really hard to make these slight adjustments in this short amount of time. …I feel for him. I know he's grinding, he's working. So we'll just see. We'll see how he comes and prepares.
“But I know he's giving it his all. We know he's giving it his all. We can at least lay our heads on a pillow at night knowing that we've given it everything.’’
And, even though the Dodgers are down 2-0, they are still brimming with confidence, with Roberts even entering the pre-game press conference walking to the left of the stage, instead of the right, just to change their luck.
“We all know what's at stake,’’ Roberts said. “It's going to be fun. There's some pressure there. But you've got to embrace this, and I think for me it's just focusing on today because I think when you start thinking about we've got to win four games, I get nervous.
“But I think that we can manage winning a game tonight.’’
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 7: Brandon Miller #24 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 7, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics host the Charlotte Hornets for the 3rd preseason game for both teams. The Celtics beat the Cavaliers in their first game and then beat the 76ers in their second game. The Hornets lost to the Nets in their first game and then beat the Bucks in their second game. The Celtics have one more preseason game at Philadelphia on Friday.
The Hornets have several new players this season. They signed Coby White as a free agent. They got Naz Reid in a trade from Minnesota. They got Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale in a trade from Phoenix. And, they got Dennis Schroder in a trade from the Wizards. They drafted Hannes Steinbach (14th) and Christian Anderson, Jr (18th). They also lost several players from last season. LaMelo Ball, Josh Green , Miles Bridges and Tre Mann were all traded. Antonio Reeves and Xavier Tillman both left as unsigned free agents.
I can’t guess who the Celtics will start in this game. They started Conley, Scheierman, Walsh, Gonzalez and Garza in the first game and they started Walsh, White, Tatum, George, and Robinson in the second game. Joe may want to see the starters again in this game or he may sit them once again and play the reserves all game. Or, he may play them in this game and then sit the starters against the 76ers. Or, the starters may play in both or sit in both.
Likewise, as is true of most preseason games, it’s hard to tell who will start and who will play for the Hornets. They started Schroder, Allen, McNeeley, Reid and Diabate in their loss to the Nets. They started Schroder, Miller, McNeeley, Reid and Diabate in their win over the Bucks. The Hornets also have several players out and so that may limit their options in this game.
For the Celtics, Devin Carter is a game time decision with an illness that also kept him out of Saturday’s game against the 76ers. Ron Harper, Jr has missed both games so far with a shoulder injury and he is also a game time decision. Luka Garza went to the locker room late in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against the 76ers after an inadvertent elbow to the nose left him bleeding. He is listed as a game time decision for this game.
For the Hornets, Grayson Allen missed Sunday’s game with a knee injury and is a game time decision. Christian Anderson, Jr has missed the first 2 preseason games with an ankle sprain and is also a game time decision. Kylan Boswell (knee), Kon Knueppel (hamstring), Coby White (calf) and Grant Williams (hamstring) are all listed as out.
Boston Celtics Roster Chris Cenac, Jr Mike Conley Luka Garza Paul George Hugo Gonzalez Ron Harper, Jr Sam Hauser Payton Pritchard Neemias Queta Mitchell Robinson Baylor Scheierman Jayson Tatum Jordan Walsh Derrick White
2-Way Players Dillon Mitchell Amari Williams Exhibit 10 Players Devin Carter Tucker DeVries Hayden Gray Gabe MccGlothan Milos Uzan Injuries Ron Harper, Jr (shoulder) game time decision Devin Carter (illness) game time decision Luka Garza (nose) game time decision
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Charlotte Hornets Roster Grayson Allen Christian Anderson, Jr Pat Connaughton Moussa Diabate Sion James Ryan Kalkbrenner Liam McNeeley Brandon Miller Royce O’Neale Naz Reid Tidjane Salaun Dennis Schroder Hannes Steinbach
2-Way Players Michael Ajayi Kylan Boswell PJ Hall Exhibit 10 Players Wyatt Fricks Jarkel Joiner
Injuries Christian Anderson, Jr (ankle) game time decision Grayson Allen (knee) game time decision Kylan Boswell (knee) out Kon Knueppel (hamstring) out Coby White (calf) out Grant Williams (hamstring) out
Head Coach Charles Lee
What to Watch Team Chemistry – Whether it is the starters or the reserves or the end of the bench guys, it will be interesting to see the team building chemistry and playing well together. With several new players needing to learn the system and all of the players needing to learn to play together, building chemistry should be the main goal for the team in these preseason games.
How About the New Guys– Conley looked good in the start on Thursday and Paul George and Mitchell Robinson both looked good on Saturday. Chris Cenac, Jr, Dillon Mitchell and Devin Carter have all impressed so far. I’m hoping to see all of the new players in this game to get more experience playing together before the season. Even if they only play for half the game.
Offensive Rebounding – The Celtics dominated the boards on Thursday against the Cavaliers. They had 21 offensive rebounds to just 6 for the Cavs. They did it again on Saturday, out rebounding the 76ers on the offensive boards 19-7. Rebounding will be a key for the Celtics this season. The Celtics need to once again dominate the boards in this game.
Defense – Defense is the key to winning each and every game. In the 2 games so far, the Celtics have shown that they are making the effort to dominate on the defensive end of the court. If that effort continues, the Celtics could very well have the best defense in the league. Hopefully we will see them to continue to make defense a priority.
X-Factor It’s the Preseason – The preseason is a time for the coaches to get a look at players who may or may not make the team, to experiment with lineups and different plays. Wins and losses are not as important as learning things about the players and the team. We certainly won’t see the regular rotation for either team and that’s ok.
Cameron Green has taken a step forward in his recovery but the Western Australian remains in significant doubt to feature in the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha beginning on Sunday.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: The sneakers worn by Nick Sang during the game between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Brewers manager Pat Murphy didn’t take the Shohei Ohtani-speculation bait.
But, when asked about Ohtani’s uncertain status coming out of Game 2 of the National League Championship Series this week, outfielder Garrett Mitchell did.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani walks toward the dugout during a workout ahead of Game 3 of baseball’s National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
“I’d be shocked,” Mitchell said on Tuesday, when asked about the possibility of Ohtani not being in the Dodgers’ lineup for a critical Game 3 on Wednesday. “He’s the greatest player in the game, arguably going down as the best player ever. This game is very hard. One day you can be on top of the world, and on the next you are hitting the lowest of lows … But I know that whether he’s feeling good or he’s not feeling good, he’s always going to be someone that you have to game-plan for.
“You never know,” Mitchell added. “It takes one swing to come back.”
As it turned out, Ohtani was granted the chance for a big swing on Wednesday.
He was, as manager Dave Roberts relayed while announcing the decision on Tuesday, “convicted” and “adamant” in his ability to find something at the plate, and look more like the four-time MVP that has spearheaded the Dodgers’ offense during their run to back-to-back World Series titles the last two years.
“‘I want to be in there. I know I can help the team. I’m close,’” Ohtani told Roberts and top front-office executives Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes during a meeting on Tuesday, as Roberts later recounted.
“That,” Roberts added, “is all I need to hear.”
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani speaks during a news conference ahead of Game 3 of baseball’s National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
He entered Wednesday batting just 3-for-20 with no extra-base hits or RBIs this postseason. He hadn’t launched a home run since Aug. 18, mired in the longest single-season long-ball drought of his MLB career. He was coming off a particularly poor performance in Game 2, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and several awkward swings in a 7-4 loss that put the Dodgers in a 2-0 series hole.
Still, the Brewers remained wary of the 32-year-old’s capabilities.
“There’s proof of that even last year,” Mitchell noted. “Probably didn’t have the greatest series to start, but that Game 4, it just takes one day.”
“You can’t forget that,” Murphy added. “Do you know how tough it is to execute what he did?”
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy walks across the field after making a pitching change in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 2 of the National League Championship Series at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. Getty Images
He isn’t pitching. He isn’t slugging. Outside of a few slap singles and a couple walks, he has hardly even posed a threat to reach base.
Has that changed the way the Brewers have attacked him in this NLCS rematch, Murphy was asked:
“You still have to go at him,” he said, coyly. “You have to go at everybody.”
As for whether Murphy would have been surprised to see Ohtani benched for Game 3?
“That’s out of my hands,” he said. “But surprise? Nothing in this game surprises me, to tell you the truth. Right when you think you know something, be careful; you might not.”
With their season hanging in the balance, the Dodgers are hoping that will prove true with their slumping superstar slugger.
