Shohei Ohtani’s postseason pitching debut: the missing chapter in his Major League story

Shohei Ohtani is ready to write a new chapter in his historic Major League career. The two-way sensation will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, October 4, marking his first-ever postseason start as a pitcher.

“Yes, Shohei is going to start Game 1,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed after Wednesday night’s 8-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds, which secured their place in the next round. “It’s the perfect time for him. He’s going to be rested, prepared, and we all know what it means to have him on the mound.”

Ohtani’s biggest start yet

The Japanese superstar made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels, but the franchise never reached the playoffs during his time there. Last year, when Ohtani signed with the Dodgers, he was sidelined from the rotation after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2023, limiting him to designated hitter duties.

Now fully recovered, Ohtani has returned to the mound this season with elite numbers – a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 47 innings. In his last start, he threw six scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, hitting 101.2 mph on the radar gun and issuing no walks. That outing sealed Roberts’ decision to hand him the ball for what is set to be the most important start of Ohtani’s Major League career.

A two-time MVP, Ohtani left the Angels to join the Dodgers with the goal of playing in October, the one stage missing from his glittering résumé. He now has the chance to deliver on that ambition, away from home, and give Los Angeles the early advantage against Philadelphia.

“A very talented team. It’s going to be a fun atmosphere,” Roberts said of the Phillies. “I think we match up really well with them. They’re going to throw some lefties at us. They’ve got talent up and down the lineup. Trea’s back. It’s going to be a fun series.”

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