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1h ago

Ohtani Fans Nine Over Six in Postseason Pitching Debut as Dodgers–Phillies NLDS Opens

He became the first player to start as a pitcher and as a non-pitcher in the same postseason.

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Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at bat with Rafael Marchan #13 of the Philadelphia Phillies behind the plate in the seventh inning during a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 6, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Injured catcher Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers, with his right hand in a brace, walks off the field after they defeated the San Francisco Giants, 7-5, at Dodger Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith, who has not played since Sept. 9 while a hairline fracture in his right hand has been healing, is expected to be available to catch during the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Overview

  • Shohei Ohtani delivered a quality start in Game 1 with six innings, nine strikeouts, one walk and three hits allowed.
  • Philadelphia pushed across three runs in the second inning, highlighted by J.T. Realmuto’s two-run triple and a Harrison Bader sacrifice fly.
  • Cristopher Sánchez started for the Phillies opposite Ohtani after a breakout regular season.
  • Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith is on the NLDS roster and available to catch but did not start Game 1, with Ben Rortvedt behind the plate and Dalton Rushing in reserve.
  • Los Angeles added Clayton Kershaw to the NLDS roster in a relief role for his final season, part of a left-leaning bullpen built for Phillies matchups.