In a move that's already buzzing through baseball circles, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will take the mound for Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies this Saturday. Manager Dave Roberts dropped the news just hours after the Dodgers wrapped up a swift sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card round, an 8-4 victory that propelled them forward. Ohtani, the two-way phenom who's redefined the sport, steps into uncharted territory here—marking the first time in MLB history a player starts both as a pitcher and position player in the same postseason.
The schedule kicks off at Citizens Bank Park in Philly, with first pitch around 6:08 p.m. ET, depending on the American League side's wrap-up. Game 1: Dodgers at Phillies, Saturday, October 4, pitting Ohtani against Cristopher Sánchez. If things stay on track, Game 2 follows Monday at the same spot, then shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Wednesday. A potential Game 4 lands Thursday, and Game 5—if needed—wraps it up Saturday. It's a best-of-five affair, and with the Dodgers chasing back-to-back titles, the pressure's on from the jump.
Indeed, Ohtani's return to pitching comes after elbow surgery sidelined him last year, but his regular-season dominance—hitting .310 with 54 homers and a 3.14 ERA in limited starts—suggests he's primed. The Phillies, no slouches with their own powerhouse lineup, boast a home-field edge that's proven tough in playoffs past. However, Roberts' choice to unleash Ohtani early speaks volumes about the Dodgers' confidence, even if it risks fatigue in a grueling series. Moreover, this matchup feels like a clash of titans, Dodgers' star power versus Philly's grit.
Yet, as Ohtani winds up for that historic toss, one can't help but wonder how this bold strategy might reshape not just the series, but the very future of versatile play in baseball.