TORONTO — Shohei Ohtani has always pushed his limits as a baseball player. He thrives on challenges, and this Saturday, he faces one of his biggest yet.
Ohtani is set to start Game 7 of the World Series on just three days’ rest. He’ll also take his usual place as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter. If all goes well, he could lead the Dodgers to their second consecutive championship, something not seen since the Yankees did it from 1998 to 2000.
Ohtani’s enigmatic nature adds to his allure. We can’t know exactly what he’s thinking, but after a thrilling Game 6 win, he likely felt ready to embrace whatever comes next—especially against the Toronto Blue Jays in this high-stakes finale.
This matchup pits Ohtani against Max Scherzer, a future Hall of Famer. Scherzer, at 41, is no stranger to pressure, having pitched two previous Game 7s, including one in 2019 with the Nationals. His experience shows; he has a 3.52 ERA in winner-take-all games.
Ohtani, 31, has pitched only once on short rest this season, a situation created by rain delays. So, it’s uncertain how far he can go in Game 7. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has not named him as the official starter yet. Roberts remarked, “He could pitch two innings, or it could be four. We’ll have to see how he feels.”
The strategy here is vital. Ohtani’s two-way talent is amplified by a rule allowing him to continue as a designated hitter even if he leaves the mound. But if he comes in as a relief pitcher, the team would lose the DH spot. This complicates the game plan. If Ohtani were to pitch in relief and needed to be taken out, he would have to go to another position to stay in the lineup, limiting his impact on the game.
Despite managing his innings carefully this season, the concern is fatigue. After pitching 65 innings and making 805 plate appearances, there’s a risk he might be worn out. His playoff hitting has shown inconsistency, with standout moments overshadowed by slumps.
Roberts emphasized that Ohtani is eager to pitch as long as he feels good. In Game 4, he managed to navigate through challenging innings, indicating a readiness to go the distance if needed.
With every other Dodgers pitcher available except for the Game 6 starter, the question of who leads the team in Game 7 is daunting. Ohtani is clearly the best option, especially given the limited experience of other pitchers and the uncertainty surrounding them.
Ohtani’s talent and star power have dominated baseball conversations. His entire career seems to have built up to this moment. So, it’s no surprise he’s stepping up to start Game 7 on short rest and serve as DH. It’s how his 2025 season—and perhaps the future of baseball itself—will be defined.
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