The Los Angeles Dodgers have set their rotation for the Wild-Card Series against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Despite the incredible talent of Shohei Ohtani, he is not slated to start in the rotation, though he may pitch Game 3 if necessary. Clayton Kershaw, another star player, isn’t on the Wild-Card roster but might return for the National League Division Series if the Dodgers advance.
In Game 1, Blake Snell, who has recently recovered from shoulder inflammation, will be taking the mound. In Game 2, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to start. The decision to leave Ohtani out of the earlier games is largely due to ensuring proper rest for Snell and Yamamoto. Ohtani will still play as the designated hitter and could potentially pitch in a later game. Team discussions have highlighted the logistical challenges of using Ohtani as a reliever due to his dual role as a hitter.
Ohtani, who had been building back up from elbow surgery, has shown his prowess on the mound, holding opponents scoreless in recent games while dominating at the plate with 55 home runs in the season. The Dodgers’ rotation has improved significantly since last year, showcasing greater depth with pitchers like Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and others supporting the team.
Mookie Betts expressed confidence in Ohtani’s capabilities and conveyed that the choice to pitch rests with Ohtani, reflecting the team’s respect and admiration for him. This season, the Dodgers have a more robust and healthier pitching squad compared to the previous playoff run, positioning them well for the postseason challenge ahead. The strength of their pitching staff is evidenced by leading the league with a staff ERA of 3.95 heading into the playoffs.
By adding Snell and reinforcing their roster in the off-season, the Dodgers have bolstered their chances, despite Ohtani’s current status being primarily offensive. With multiple options at their disposal, manager Dave Roberts is taking a measured and strategic approach, ready to adapt quickly as the series unfolds.