In a move that's already buzzing through baseball circles, Shohei Ohtani will take the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. This Saturday's matchup at Citizens Bank Park marks Ohtani's long-awaited postseason pitching debut, a historic moment for the two-way superstar who's redefined the sport since joining the Dodgers. After sweeping the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card round, the defending champions are wasting no time deploying their ace in what could be a grueling best-of-five series.
Ohtani's selection as the starter comes as no surprise to those who've followed his recovery and dominance this season. Indeed, the 31-year-old Japanese phenom posted a 3.14 ERA over 18 starts in the regular year, striking out 202 batters in 134 innings. But pitching in October? That's uncharted territory for him in MLB playoffs. The Dodgers face Cristopher Sánchez, the Phillies' lefty who finished with a 3.32 ERA and a no-hitter under his belt this year. Roberts, the Dodgers' manager, confirmed the decision post-Wild Card, emphasizing Ohtani's readiness despite the elbow surgery that sidelined him from the hill last postseason.
Moreover, this series pits two powerhouse offenses against each other—the Dodgers with their league-leading 258 home runs, including Ohtani's own 54 blasts, and the Phillies boasting a top-tier rotation. Game 1 tips off around 6 p.m. ET, with potential weather delays in mind for Philly's crisp October air. The full schedule rolls out Game 2 on Monday, October 6, back at Citizens Bank Park, then shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Wednesday if needed. However, with Ohtani also expected to DH in subsequent games, the Dodgers are banking on his dual-threat versatility to outmaneuver a Phillies squad hungry for revenge after last year's NLCS heartbreak.
Indeed, the stakes feel higher this time around, with both teams eyeing a World Series return. Ohtani's performance could swing the series early, blending his pinpoint control with that explosive fastball. Yet, as the playoffs unfold, one wonders how this bold strategy might reshape playoff rotations for years to come.