Overview
- Ohtani will be treated as a regular starter, with manager Dave Roberts saying he could work six or seven innings after months of controlled workloads.
- When he takes the mound, it will be his first MLB postseason start as a pitcher and the first time any player starts as both a pitcher and a non-pitcher in one postseason.
- A five-inning no-hit performance on 68 pitches against Philadelphia on Sept. 16 at Dodger Stadium was the turning point that led the club to lift preset limits.
- After Ohtani, the Dodgers plan to start Blake Snell in Game 2 with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow lined up next, with Clayton Kershaw slated for relief and Will Smith’s ability to start still uncertain.
- Game 1 is Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, and Ohtani said he expects some nerves but emphasized feeling grateful to be healthy and pitching.