Shohei Ohtani vs. Luis Severino: All you need to know about their NLCS Game 3 matchup and key stats

On Wednesday night, Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers will arrive at Citi Field to play the Mets. With the series in a 1-1 knot, all eyes will be on the Japanese superstar to open things up.

After a historic regular season, Ohtani has attracted criticism for what many view as a lacklustre postseason so far. In seven games this October, Ohtani has hit a mere .222 with a homer, five RBIs, and a team-leading 12 strikeouts.

"The #NLCS is all tied up as the series heads to Queens" - MLB

However, Dodgers fans have hope heading into Game 3, due to Ohtani's career numbers against New York Mets starter Luis Severino. Over the course of his career, Shohei Ohtani touts some solid numbers against New York, and Severino in general.

In eight plate appearances against Luis Severino, Ohtani is 3-for-6 with two walks, a double, and a solo home run. Shohei Ohtani's homer against Severino came in 2018, when Ohtani was playing for the Angels, and Severino for the New York Yankees.

"Shohei Ohtani puts the @Angels on the board against the with a no-doubter off of Luis Severino" - MLB Pipeline

A nine-year MLB veteran, Severino signed with the Mets this offseason after eight seasons with the Yankees. In 31 starts this season, the 30 year-old Dominican went 11-7, pitching to a 3.91 ERA, and posting some 161 strikeouts across 182 innings of work on the mound.

In his career against the Mets, Shohei Ohtani has hit .361 with 3 homers and 10 RBIs in ten career games. After a postseason that has seen other members of the Los Angeles Dodgers take the limelight, Ohtani is certainly due to make a splash.

Shohei Ohtani's team is taking his struggles in stride

So far this postseason, Ohtani is 0-for-19 with the bases empty, but 6-for-8 with men on. The strange statistical spread caused Dodgers manager Dave Robers to joke to ESPN:

“It’s just funny how things change, where there was a lot of concern about Shohei not being able to get hits with the runners in scoring position — and now we’re all trying to find ways … to get guys on base so he can hit, right? I kind of find that comical, a little bit.”

Certainly not the showing that many expected from Ohtani, perhaps his historical success against Mets pitcher Luis Severino will be enough to turn the tide.