Shohei Ohtani on the mound in postseason: Real possibility or idle threat?

Every year in every sport, a “paper” champion is declared before the season begins. As in, “on paper, (fill in the blank) looks like the best team in the league.” Before the 2024 MLB season began, for most prognosticators, this paper champion was the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In addition to bringing back the major components that got the  club to the NLDS in 2023, the Dodgers decided to take a chance on a player named Shohei Ohtani, giving him a contract equivalent to the GDP of many countries. It’s safe to say that Los Angeles’ investment is so far paying off nicely, as Ohtani is having his best year in almost all offensive categories, including hits, home runs and RBI. Plus, he just recorded the first 50-50 season in MLB history.

Despite Ohtani’s heroics, however, the Dodgers aren’t running away with their division, nor do they have the best record in baseball. While the team has thrived on offense — its .254 team batting average is good for fifth in the league — its pitching has left a lot to be desired. At 3.93, the Dodgers' team ERA is only 14th-best in MLB.

Many of L.A.’s pitching woes have been injury-related. The team has put several starters on the injured list this summer, with Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow potentially being unable to return this season. So, with a dearth of starters, is it possible that the Dodgers would send Ohtani out to the mound during the playoffs just a little over a year after major elbow surgery?   

“Anything is possible,” said manager Dave Roberts. “We’ve still got a lot of work to get to October and through October. I hope that’s on his mind as far as motivation for his rehab. But the odds of it coming to pass are very slim. But they’re not zero.”

Perhaps inspired by the glitz and glamor of La La Land, Roberts added, “If I was scripting a movie or writing a book, it would be a no-brainer that he comes out of rehabilitation and throws the last pitch.”

So would the Dodgers hand the ball to a rusty Ohtani in a big spot? Or, more importantly, would they risk the health of a player with a track record of injuries that they just made a major 10-year commitment to? Probably not.  

But, would they throw this idea out there as a bit of an intimidation factor? Maybe a chance to get in the heads of their future opponents long before the playoffs start? That seems like the much more likely scenario.