Rob Lowe and Rich Eisen have a dream for the Dodgers in the playoffs: What they envision for Ohtani in the postseason
Speaking to Eisen this week, ‘West Wing’ actor Lowe discussed talk of Shohei Ohtani operating as a relief pitcher in the postseason.
As Major League Baseball prepares for the postseason, famous Dodgers fan Rob Lowe appeared on The Rich Eisen Show amid talk that L.A. superstar Shohei Ohtani could play as a relief pitcher during the playoffs.
“Wouldn’t that be a first?”
“Would you want Ohtani to come out of the pen?” Eisen asked Lowe, an actor known for his roles in hit TV series such as The West Wing and Parks and Recreation.
“You can’t have him come out of the pen, because he’d have to be in the bullpen being ready, and he’s going to be batting,” Lowe replied. “So just [because of] that alone, you can’t do it.”
“How about this?” Eisen responded with a smile. “Ohtani homers […] and as he rounds home plate, he then runs to the bullpen to warm up, to save the game he just gave the Dodgers to win.”
Lowe appeared to like what he was hearing, replying with a chuckle: “That could happen!”
“Wouldn’t that be a first?" Eisen added. “Because he’s just like, ‘I’m not up for another eight batters.’
“And he just homers to give them the lead, goes around home plate, and […] he’ll high five everybody [in the dugout], then hop out at the other end and run out to the bullpen.”
Discussion over Ohtani’s potential deployment in the bullpen stems from the struggles endured by the Dodgers’ relief pitchers this season. L.A.’s bullpen has recorded a 4.28 ERA so far in 2025 - one of the worst in franchise history.
Check out Lowe and Eisen’s discussion in full:
Dodgers chasing back-to-back MLB crowns
The defending World Series champions, the Dodgers lead the National League West division and have clinched their postseason spot for the 13th straight year.
Dave Roberts’ men are chasing the ninth World Series title in the franchise’s history.
The 2025 MLB playoffs are due to begin with the Wild Card series on September 30. After two more postseason rounds, the playoffs conclude with the World Series, scheduled to commence on October 24.
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