In a move that's got baseball fans buzzing, Shohei Ohtani is slated to take the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. This Saturday at Citizens Bank Park, the two-way superstar will make his long-awaited MLB postseason pitching debut, facing off against Phillies lefty Cristopher Sánchez. It's a bold call from manager Dave Roberts, especially after Ohtani's dominant showing in the Wild Card round—where he belted two homers in the Dodgers' sweep of the Cincinnati Reds.
The series kicks off at 6:08 p.m. ET if the Yankees advance past Boston, or 6:38 p.m. otherwise, setting the stage for what could be an epic best-of-five matchup. Game 2 follows Monday in Philly, with potential games three through five shifting to Dodger Stadium later in the week—Wednesday, Thursday, and possibly Saturday. Indeed, the Dodgers enter as defending champions, but Ohtani's return to pitching adds a layer of intrigue. He's been sidelined from the hill since elbow surgery last year, yet his bat has carried the team all season with a .310 average and 54 home runs. However, skeptics wonder if rust will show against a Phillies lineup that's no slouch, boasting stars like Bryce Harper and a deep rotation.
Ohtani's dual-threat history makes this historic: No player has ever started both as a pitcher and hitter in the same playoffs, per MLB records. Roberts confirmed the decision post-Wild Card, noting Ohtani's readiness after bullpen sessions. Moreover, the Phillies, with home-field advantage and a 95-win regular season, aren't taking this lightly—Sánchez boasts a 3.32 ERA, and their bullpen could exploit any early jitters from Ohtani.
Still, the pressure mounts on both sides in this rematch of last year's NLCS, where the Dodgers edged out Philly. As Ohtani winds up for his first playoff pitch, one can't help but ponder how this gamble might redefine the Dodgers' path to another World Series run—or expose vulnerabilities in their star-powered lineup.