Shohei Ohtani made a remarkable final pitching start for the Dodgers in the regular season, leading to speculation about his role in the upcoming playoffs. Ohtani shut out the Arizona Diamondbacks over six innings, his longest outing of the season, despite the team’s 5-4 loss in a walk-off. His fastball reached up to 101.2 mph, contributing to his eight strikeouts. His performance marks a significant milestone in his comeback from a second Tommy John surgery, and he finished with a 2.87 ERA over 15 starts.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism about Ohtani’s intensified performance in recent weeks, suggesting that he could play a pivotal role in the team’s postseason plans. The Dodgers are nearly certain to play in the wild-card round, with Ohtani potentially starting the first game. However, the team’s final rotation is yet to be determined, considering Ohtani’s dual role as a pitcher and designated hitter.
There are considerations around Ohtani’s workload, as he hasn’t been as built-up as other starters. In recent games, a cap of five innings was placed on his starts for health reasons. However, Tuesday’s game allowed him to pitch into the sixth inning, potentially easing the pitcher’s burden on the team’s bullpen.
In other team developments, the Dodgers anticipate the return of rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki from injury, although the status of trade acquisition Brock Stewart remains uncertain following a shoulder injury.
As the Dodgers prepare for the playoffs, Ohtani’s dynamic abilities and the team’s strategic decisions will play crucial roles in their quest for postseason success. His performance this season has demonstrated his ability to return stronger and perform in critical game situations, setting an optimistic tone for the Dodgers’ upcoming games.