In a pivotal matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Shohei Ohtani took to the mound for what is expected to be his last regular season start pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani, who has made an impressive comeback after missing the 2024 season due to UCL surgery, showcased his dominance by delivering six strong innings, striking out eight batters, giving up five hits, and not allowing any runs. His fastball reached a peak velocity of 101.2 mph, maintaining impressive speed throughout his performance.
Despite Ohtani’s stellar outing, the Dodgers’ bullpen struggled, allowing five runs over the subsequent three innings, culminating in a 5-4 loss after a walk-off hit by Arizona’s Geraldo Perdomo against closer Tanner Scott.
The cautious handling of Ohtani’s return by the Dodgers has been evident, with his innings being meticulously managed to ensure his long-term health. Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts indicated that the team decided to extend Ohtani’s outings as they approach the postseason, reflecting confidence in his recovery and building momentum for the playoffs.
With the Dodgers now having secured a playoff berth and holding a narrow lead in the NL West, Ohtani’s recent performances suggest he will be the starting pitcher for Game 1 of the impending wild-card series. Aside from Ohtani, the Dodgers are equipped with a robust rotation including Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow, complemented by veterans like Clayton Kershaw potentially moving into relief roles.
The team’s bullpen, however, presents uncertainty heading into the playoffs. Although relievers like Alex Vesia and Anthony Banda have been consistent, the bullpen as a whole has faltered significantly in recent weeks. The impending activation of rookie Roki Sasaki is anticipated as a strategic move to bolster relief options. Moreover, there is hope for reinforcements from the injured list with Michael Kopech and Brock Stewart potentially rejoining the roster.
Despite the bullpen’s challenges, the Dodgers are poised for a competitive postseason run, buoyed by a talented and deep starting rotation. The adjustments in pitcher utilization signal the team’s keen focus on making a strong playoff push while managing the inherent risks associated with a faltering bullpen.