Shohei Ohtani delivered some nasty pitches in dominant start

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) throws to the plate during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Shohei Ohtani delivered some nasty pitches in brief, but dominant start

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 9:42 PM ET

Shohei Ohtani made his fourth start for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night as he continues to work his way back from last year's Tommy John surgery. He not only threw a season-high in pitches (31), but he also put together his best and most dominant start of the season, even if it was brief.

Ohtani went two innings, allowed just one hit, walked none and struck out three to lower his ERA to 1.50 for the season. It's only a six-inning sample at this point, but he has looked better in each appearance.

Saturday was his best work yet, and was highlighted by three nasty pitches that produced helpless swings and misses as he struck out the side in the second inning to close out his start.

The first pitch was an 87 mph slider to get Astros first baseman Christian Walker to strike out on a 3-2 pitch.

Shohei Ohtani, Filthy 87mph Slider. pic.twitter.com/576fDRUtjP
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 5, 2025

He followed that up with an 86 mph sweeper to get designated hitter Victor Caratini, which he missed by a mile.

Shohei Ohtani, Disgusting 86mph Back Foot Sweeper. pic.twitter.com/rWjMcZvqHT
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 5, 2025

His last pitch of the night, and the one that completed him striking out the side, was another filthy sweeper to get catcher Yainer Diaz.

Shohei Ohtani, Wicked 86mph Sweeper.

[Breaks the fourth wall] pic.twitter.com/0KeH7AfBlQ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 5, 2025

Some of those pitches just look completely unhittable, and it's crazy to think he is throwing those so quickly after his second Tommy John surgery. This is also why he is one of the best baseball players of all time.

In his first two years with the Dodgers, he has continued to hit at an MVP-level and is the most feared left-handed hitter in baseball. Now the Dodgers are starting to get a taste of what he can do on the mound. They have to be thrilled about what they are seeing. He is still probably a few starts away from really being turned loose and without strict pitch limits, but getting anything from him right now is a plus. As well as extremely exciting.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

More must-reads: