In a surprising move that has Dodgers fans buzzing, manager Dave Roberts decided to keep two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani out of the batting lineup for Tuesday's start against the Houston Astros. This strategic decision marks only the third time this season that Ohtani will focus solely on his pitching duties.

Initially, Roberts had indicated before Monday's win over the Astros that Ohtani would be in the lineup. However, after the game, the skipper had a change of heart. "Just kind of seeing how it's playing out, I think it's best for everyone," Roberts explained. "Definitely not based on results. It's a little bit more body language and just watching the player."

The timing couldn't be better for a mental reset at the plate. Ohtani has been mired in a rare slump, going 0-for-17 over his last five games—his longest hitless streak of the season. While he's shown patience with six walks during that span, the hits have simply stopped falling.

Here's the silver lining: when Ohtani has focused exclusively on pitching this season, the results have been electric. In his first start without hitting since 2021—against the New York Mets on April 15—he delivered six innings of one-run ball with 10 strikeouts. The Dodgers repeated the strategy against the Miami Marlins on April 28, and Ohtani responded with another six-inning gem, allowing just two runs while fanning nine.

Tuesday's game carries extra weight for a Dodgers team hungry for momentum. They're chasing their first series win since taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium last month. With Ohtani establishing himself as one of the National League's premier pitchers this season, Los Angeles has every reason to feel confident when he takes the mound at 5:10 p.m. PT.