For the 12th straight season, the Los Angeles Dodgers have advanced to the postseason. They’ll play again in October, this time with the goal of finishing the job.
Since reaching the summit of the mountain in 2020, Los Angeles has consistently fallen short. Things should be different this season now that Shohei Ohtani, the basketball unicorn, has been added. Ohtani is now a Dodger and will make his debut in October. While he has no experience in October, his performance will determine whether or not Los Angeles wins it all.
Ohtani is slated to participate in his first postseason game soon, but his whole arsenal will most certainly not be on display. The 30-year-old superstar is unlikely to pitch in October, though there is speculation that he might.
It depends on whoever you ask. According to Bob Nightengale, a baseball columnist for USA Today, and Doug McKain, there is ‘no possibility’ Ohtani will throw.
“There is no chance. Just does not make sense. He only underwent surgery last September. You’re talking 12 months. Too much money has been invested in him to take that risk.
Not only did Nightengale claim Ohtani would not pitch, but he also stated that it would not be feasible logistically.
“And, frankly, I’m not sure how that would work. Assume you want to bring him into a save circumstance. What if his turn at bat comes in the bottom of the eighth inning? Will he go to the mound without any warmup? What if he is warming up during his turn at bat? He’d be called out for a delay with three strikes. “I’m not sure how that would work logistically.”
Nightengale has a point, and if Los Angeles decides to put him on the mound, he will have serious challenges. Nonetheless, Ohtani has previously defied the odds, and if Los Angeles believes he is prepared, they will figure it out.
The Japanese sensation has not pitched since September 2023, following elbow surgery. When healthy, Ohatni is one of the best pitchers on the mound. His career ERA is 3.01, and he has 608 strikeouts in 86 games.
On Thursday, Dodgers head of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Ohtani would not throw for the club in the postseason.
“We aren’t even thinking about that right now,” Friedman remarked. “This is like January for him. He’s only a year removed from Tommy John.
L.A. is running out of options; if they can’t find an answer, Ohtani may step in and save the day.
