Los Angeles Dodgers confirmed that their superstar Shohei Ohtani will be the starter in Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Philadelphia Philliesaccording to Dave Roberts, manager of the Los Angeles team. The match will be played this Friday at the Citizens Bank Park Philadelphia.
Ohtani: from key hitter to star starter in October
The reigning MVP of the National League was going to make his debut as a pitcher in the Wild Card Series if the tie against the Cincinnati Reds reached a decisive Game 3. However, the Dodgers finished the series in two games, where Ohtani shone with the bat:
3 hits in 9 at bats.
2 home runs.
4 RBIs.
He responded with his offense in key moments, but now he will have the opportunity to show his impact on the mound.
Ohtani’s numbers in the 2025 season
Last three starts
0 earned runs allowed.
8 hits against.
18 strikeouts and only 2 walks in 14.2 innings.
Balance in regular season
Record: 1-1.
Effectiveness (ERA): 2.87.
WHIP: 1.04.
Total openings: 14.
A performance that excites the Los Angeles fans in the face of the challenge against the Philadelphia offense, led by Kyle Schwarber.
The duel on the mound: Ohtani vs. Christopher Sanchez
The Phillies will send left-hander Cristopher Sánchez as the Game 1 starter. Ohtani already has history in front of him:
4 hits in 16 turns for life.
2 RBIs.
In addition to pitching, the Japanese will continue to contribute as a designated hitter, making this matchup one of the most attractive in the divisional round.
The Challenge of the Dodgers Bullpen
Although Ohtani arrives in great shape, the main concern for Los Angeles remains its bullpen, which showed inconsistency in the Wild Card Series against the Reds. The effectiveness of the relief will be key if the starter fails to cover deep innings.
