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10h ago

Ohtani Ties NL HR Lead as Dodgers Weigh Two‑Way Postseason Edge

Los Angeles explores ways to keep his bat in the lineup if he is used in relief during October.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs to first on a single against the San Francisco Giants in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 07, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan throws to a San Francisco Giants batter during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
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Overview

  • Shohei Ohtani hit his 53rd home run to tie Kyle Schwarber for the NL lead and set a Dodger Stadium single‑season mark with his 29th at the ballpark.
  • The Dodgers maintained a four‑game NL West lead with seven regular‑season games remaining.
  • Rival clubs are upset, per USA Today reporting, about a special two‑way postseason provision that effectively gives Los Angeles an extra pitcher, since Ohtani can start on the mound and stay in as the DH after he is pulled.
  • If he pitches out of the bullpen after starting as DH, the Dodgers would lose the DH unless he moves to the outfield, and Ohtani has discussed that possibility internally according to reports from Japanese media.
  • Ohtani is widely viewed as the NL MVP frontrunner, with manager Dave Roberts calling it a “no‑brainer,” as he pairs elite offense (1.018 OPS, 53 HR, 7.2 WAR) with limited but effective pitching (3.29 ERA in 13 starts).