Shohei Ohtani Gets the Ball: A Playoff Debut Years In the Making

For eight long seasons, we’ve watched Ohtani do things with a bat and a ball that defy logic. He’s the modern-day Babe Ruth, a two-way marvel who has redefined what’s possible in baseball. But pitching in the playoffs? That is a different beast entirely. It is the stage where legacies are cemented, where heroes are born, and where the pressure can turn coal into diamonds—or dust.

After recovering from his second major elbow surgery, Ohtani’s return to the mound this season was a slow burn. The Dodgers played it safe, cautiously building up his workload. But as the season wore on, the training wheels came off. In his last few starts, Ohtani looked like the ace everyone knew he could be, mowing down hitters and looking utterly dominant. He even told Roberts he was ready to go deeper into games, basically saying, “Coach, put me in.” You have to love that fire.

A Historic Postseason Moment

When Ohtani toes the rubber on Saturday, it won’t just be another start. It will be the first time in MLB history that a player has started a postseason game as both a pitcher and a non-pitcher. Just let that sink in. We are witnessing something that has literally never been done before. It’s the kind of stuff you tell your grandkids about.

The Phillies won’t be a walk in the park. They’re a tough, gritty team with a lineup that can do serious damage. But facing Ohtani is a unique challenge. How do you prepare for a guy who can paint the corners with a 98-mph fastball and then launch a 450-foot bomb in his next at-bat? You don’t. You just hold on and hope for the best.

So, grab your popcorn, folks. The Sho is officially starting. This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for, and something tells me it’s going to be electric.