Shohei Ohtani Won't Be Dodgers' Leadoff Hitter in Series Finale With Brewers

Jul 3, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) after scoring a run during the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers won't have Shohei Ohtani leading off in Sunday's series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers.

In an effort to snag a win before the Brew Crew leaves town, Mookie Betts will be leading things off for LA, doing so for the first time in over a year. Betts took the night off on Saturday and is not only back in the lineup, but will be setting the tone for the Dodgers atop the order.

More news: Dodgers Predicted to Acquire All-Star Reliever in Blockbuster Trade With NL Rival

Mookie Betts is back in the Dodgers lineup today — and back in the leadoff spot for the first time since last June pic.twitter.com/zPQX9Dab3F

— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) July 20, 2025

Although this may be a slightly jarring decision for those that are used to seeing Ohtani leading off, there appears to be some stats that backup why this decision is more than just an effort to change the lineup for sake of changing it.

Including the pair of games in which Ohtani didn't lead off this season, the leadoff hitter on the Dodgers has an unreal OPS of .991 and on-base percentage of .379, and per The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, this not only leads MLB this season, but would be that OPS would be the fourth-best of all-time.

The title of best OPS from a leadoff spot all-time would be the 2018 Boston Red Sox with a 1.028 OPS. One may ask who the leadoff hitter for Boston was that season on their way to a World Series title, and the answer is the same man leading things off for the Dodgers on Sunday: Mookie Betts.

It's obvious – Shohei Ohtani had been the team's leadoff hitter for all but two games this season – but the Dodgers entered today with the league's best OPS from the leadoff position (.991, which would be fourth-best all-time). Also best in on-base percentage (.379).

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 20, 2025

The Dodgers appear to be using data-driven analytics to help Mookie Betts out of his recent slump, with a mix of a very human remedy as manager Dave Roberts chose to give his shortstop the day off Saturday night.

More news: Dodgers Predicted to Have to Trade for Reliever at Deadline

Now Ohtani has an OPS of .983 on his own this season, and Betts had a 1.078 OPS during that 2018 championship run. A shift in the batting order won't guarantee all problems are solved, but perhaps it can spark a change in Betts' production.

The shortstop has an abysmal .178 batting average over his last 30 games with an OPS of just .506.

Regardless of his lack of production lately, the Dodgers are only concerned with Betts trying to get back to form as the season intensifies and October gets closer.

More news: Dodgers' Dave Roberts Reveals Why He Benched Mookie Betts

For more Dodgers news, head over to Dodgers on SI.