Shohei Ohtani is still not himself. And that was more apparent during the Los Angeles Dodgers' 3-2 Game 2 loss to the Atlanta Braves. 

After another 1-for-4 showing on Sunday, Ohtani has just two hits in eight postseason at-bats through the first two games of the National League Division Series. 

With lingering knee and bicep issues plaguing Ohtani through the latter end of the 2026 campaign, it seems that they have continued to follow him into the playoffs.

Ohtani admitted to himself that, though he made strides during the Dodgers' crucial bye week, he was not completely healthy. 

"As of now, it's something I'm just going to have to manage," Ohtani told the media regarding his health status before the NLDS kicked off via SportsNetLA. 

Fast forward a couple of days later, and frankly, nothing has changed. 

Since Ohtani came off the Injured List in late September, he's hitting .241 with a lone RBI and an OPS of .543 in the last seven games. 

Injuries aside, the swing selection and lack of production at the plate could warrant the Dodgers making a move that could potentially flip the NLDS and the trajectory of their dynasty on its head.

Saving Ohtani from himself could be the turning point for a Dodgers starting lineup that has hit .215 as a team in the last two games of the series.  

Looking ahead, Los Angeles has a date with Chris Sale at Truist Park on Tuesday. A must-win on both sides, but it could open up an opportunity for skipper Dave Roberts to reconstruct the starting nine. 

"If you look at the at-bats, there’s a lot of chase," Roberts said about what he saw from Ohtani's day at the plate via SportsNetLA. "It’s hard to square up, put good swings on balls out of zone. That's kind of what it boils down to. Sale is going to be tough, trying to get him back in the hitting zone."

These changes should focus on inserting Josue De Paula back in the lineup and as the designated hitter, a spot that he took and ran with in his short Major League stint up to this point. 

While Ohtani was down with injuries, De Paula brought not only a childlike wonder to a team that needed it during the last stretch of the season, but also paired that with impressive at-bats.

In 11 games, the Dodgers' 21-year-old top prospect slashed .323/.500/.581 with an OPS of 1.081 and 11 walks. He made his postseason debut during Sunday's loss, flying out in foul territory for the final out. 

Should the Dodgers pull the trigger in hopes of re-routing their season? Yes. 

But Roberts already confirmed in Sunday's postgame that Ohtani is slated to be in the starting lineup for Game 3. 

For a complete reset offensively, Tuesday's results have to be the final nail in the coffin for Roberts and the Dodgers. If it's more of the same as it's been over the last couple of games, the answer should be displayed on the big board, but a productive turnaround could buy the five-time MVP some time.

That time will look like the final grains of fine sand falling between the neck of an hourglass.