Shohei Ohtani’s first postseason as a full-time pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers has been a showcase of brilliance and vulnerability—sometimes in the same week. After dazzling throughout October, the two-way megastar endured his most difficult outing yet in Game 4 of the World Series, allowing four runs in a 6-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays that evened the series at two games apiece.
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A Night of Frustration
Vote For Your Favorite Dodgers Duo: Ohtani – Yamamoto, Betts – Freeman, Hernandez – Hernandez
Ohtani’s start began promisingly but unraveled late. After six solid innings, he returned to the mound in the seventh and quickly surrendered a single to Daulton Varsho and a double to Ernie Clement. Manager Dave Roberts pulled him moments later. Speaking through an interpreter, Ohtani admitted, “I wanted to go seven, and it was regrettable that I wasn’t able to finish that inning.”
Two of those inherited runners later scored, inflating his final line to four earned runs on six hits and one walk, with six strikeouts over six-plus innings. It was a disappointing turn from the same player who, just a night earlier, reached base a postseason-record nine times in an 18-inning thriller.
Postseason Numbers and Potential Bullpen Role
Ohtani’s first postseason as a starting pitcher is now officially over, according to Aiden Gonzales of ESPN. “Ohtani’s first postseason as a starting pitcher is officially over now, ending with a 2-1 record, a 3.50 ERA and 25 strikeouts against five walks in 18 innings,” Gonzales wrote. “If he pitches again, it would be out of the bullpen in Game 6 or a potential Game 7, something he told Japanese reporters he was willing to do.”
That caveat keeps the Dodgers’ options open. While his World Series start in Game 4 was rocky, Ohtani’s dominant NLCS performance—striking out ten batters without allowing a run and hitting three home runs in a single game—remains the blueprint for what he can do when everything clicks.
A Dodgers Two-Way Wild Card
Coming out of the bullpen would be new territory in the majors for Ohtani, though he has done it in Japan and the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts would face lineup logistics challenges, as bringing Ohtani in as a reliever could cost the team their DH spot. Still, having one of MLB’s best arms available in a high-leverage situation is a powerful tool.
For now, Ohtani may turn his full attention to his bat. With the World Series tied 2-2, every at-bat counts, and the Dodgers will need their superstar to deliver—whether at the plate, on the mound, or potentially both.
