### Dodgers' World Series Hopes Hang in Balance After Ohtani Injury

In a pivotal moment during the seventh inning of Game 2 of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar designated hitter, Shohei Ohtani, suffered a shoulder subluxation while sliding into second base. The Dodgers secured a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees, giving them a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, but Ohtani's injury casts uncertainty over their championship prospects as the series moves to the Bronx.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed cautious optimism about Ohtani's condition following the game. "We're going to get some tests at some point tonight, tomorrow, and then we'll know more in the next couple days," Roberts stated. He added, "The strength was great. The range of motion good. So we're encouraged." Despite these positive indicators, Roberts also mentioned his expectation that Ohtani would remain in the lineup.

Ohtani has had a historic season, slashing .310/.390/.646 with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases in an NL-leading 731 plate appearances. He has also led the NL with an OPS+ of 190 and topped the majors with 411 total bases, making him a leading candidate for the NL MVP honors. However, his performance in the World Series so far has been underwhelming, with just one hit in seven at-bats.

The Dodgers now face the critical question of how to adjust if Ohtani is unable to play. One option is to shift Freddie Freeman to the designated hitter position, allowing Max Muncy to cover first base and bringing Enrique Hernández into third base. Gavin Lux would take over second base to maintain a strong defense.

If Ohtani is ruled out for the rest of the series, the Dodgers will likely need to make a roster move. In such a scenario, they may recall left-handed veteran Kevin Kiermaier, who was part of their NLCS roster, to add depth to their bench. Outfielder James Outman is another potential option, though Kiermaier appears to be the more probable choice.

The Dodgers' depth has been a key strength throughout their years of contention, and they have managed to build a 2-0 series lead despite limited contributions from Ohtani. Historically, teams with a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven MLB postseason series have gone on to win more than 80% of the time, which bodes well for Los Angeles.

While Ohtani's absence could be a significant blow, the Dodgers have demonstrated that they have the resilience and talent to contend with or without their star player.