Oct, 17 2025
When Shohei Ohtani, the 31‑year‑old two‑way phenom, steps onto the mound for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, the whole league leans in. The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Thursday that manager Dave Roberts is stripping away every pitch‑count restriction, trusting the $700 million star to go as deep as his arm will allow. It’s happening at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, October 17, 2025, 5:00 PM PDT, and the stakes could not be higher.
Background: Ohtani’s Two‑Way Journey
Ohtani first dazzled MLB fans in 2018, ripping home runs and throwing heat with equal ease. After a torn UCL that forced a Tommy John surgery in 2023, he spent most of 2024 and early 2025 as a pure hitter, rebuilding his bat while his arm healed. The breakthrough came June 16, 2025, when he logged a single inning in his first post‑surgery pitching appearance, a moment that sparked the gradual climb back to a full six‑inning workload by September.
Roberts, who has guided the Dodgers since November 22, 2015, often cites Ohtani’s work ethic. "The century mark isn’t a ceiling on pitches," he said at a press conference before the NLCS. "It’s contingent on how he feels. He’s waited for this moment, and the rest of the team’s confidence is right behind him."
Game 4 Decision: No Pitch Count Limits
Historically, managers have leaned on pitch‑count caps to protect pitchers in the postseason. Even legends like Sandy Alomar never faced a no‑limit scenario in a championship series. Roberts’ choice to let Ohtani pitch without a preset ceiling is a gamble that reflects both confidence and desperation; the Dodgers sit up 2‑0 in the series but Ohtani’s bat is stuck at a .147 average (5‑for‑34) with 15 strikeouts in eight games.
"We’re not gonna win the World Series with that sort of performance," Ohtani’s teammate, three‑time MVP Mookie Betts warned after Game 3. The comment underscores the tightrope the club walks: a dominant pitcher could still be a dead weight at the plate.
Postseason Hitting Struggles
Ohtani’s slump began in the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he went 1‑for‑18 with nine strikeouts. The Los Angeles Times recorded a chilling 12 strikeouts over the first 25 at‑bats of the series. By Game 3 of the NLCS, he was two‑for‑25, the weakest output of his illustrious career.
In a rare on‑field batting practice on October 15, 2025, Ohtani tried to shake off the funk. He launched a handful of home runs, one of which “cleared the outfield seats and clanged off the pavilion roof,” according to MLB.com. The moment was punctuated by his walk‑up song, Michael Bublé’s “Feeling Good,” echoing through the stadium and sparking a chorus of whoops from teammates.
What the Numbers Say
- Career pitching: 100 games, 39‑20 record, 3.00 ERA, 670 K, 1.08 WHIP.
- Career hitting: .282 average, 280 HR, 669 RBI, .956 OPS.
- 2025 regular season: 55 HR (3rd MLB), 102 RBI (14th), .282 AVG (tied 25th).
- 2025 postseason pitching: 6.0 IP, 1‑0, 4.50 ERA, 9 K, 0.67 WHIP.
- 2025 postseason hitting: .147 AVG, 5‑for‑34, 15 K in 8 games.
The statistical contrast is stark. While his mound numbers remain elite, the bat that once powered a $700 million contract is sputtering at an unprecedented low for a player of his caliber.
Reactions from the Dugout and Bench
Roberts stayed upbeat during the Friday‑morning workout. "He’s obviously a very, very talented player, and we’re counting on him. He’s just a great competitor. He’s very prepared. And there’s still a lot of baseball left," Roberts told reporters, gesturing toward the pitchers’ mound as Ohtani stretched.
Baseball analyst Jeff Passan offered a measured take on the decision: "If Ohtani can stay under the 100‑pitch mark, the Dodgers get a win‑win. Pitch deep, keep the bullpen fresh, and hope his bat finds a rhythm later. The risk is that a lengthy outing could magnify the slump, but the upside is huge."
Implications for the World Series
Should the Dodgers clinch Game 4, they become the first team since the 1998‑1999 New York Yankees to repeat as World Series champions. Ohtani would also join Babe Ruth as the only player to start a postseason game as pitcher and appear as a hitter in the same series—a historical footnote that could reshape how teams value two‑way talent.
The Brewers, meanwhile, will be desperate to flip the script. Their 26‑year‑old right‑hander Freddy Peralta tossed a 84.4 mph slider with a 2,656 rpm spin rate in Game 3, only to be felled by Ohtani’s triple. If the Brewers can neutralize Ohtani’s pitching and continue to pressure his bat, the series could swing back in Milwaukee.
What’s Next?
The next few days will reveal whether Roberts’ gamble pays off. If Ohtani logs a deep, effective start, the Dodgers preserve their bullpen for a potential Game 5 or Game 6. If the pitch count balloons and fatigue sets in, the Dodgers could find themselves scrambling for arm talent late in the series.
Regardless of the outcome, the storyline is already writing itself into baseball lore: a superstar battling a slump, a manager defying convention, and a franchise chasing a historic repeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ohtani’s pitching workload affect his hitting slump?
Most analysts agree the extra innings can sap stamina, but Ohtani himself insists the slump is unrelated to his dual role. The Dodgers’ training staff monitors his heart‑rate and fatigue levels closely, hoping the mound work won’t exacerbate the strike‑out trend at the plate.
What are the chances the Dodgers repeat as World Series champions?
Historically, only the 1998‑1999 Yankees have pulled off a back‑to‑back win in the modern era. The Dodgers sit up 2‑0 in the NLCS, but the Brewers still have a potent offense. Experts peg the odds at roughly 45 % for L.A., hinged on Ohtani’s performance and the health of the bullpen.
Who else in MLB has successfully played both pitcher and hitter in the postseason?
Babe Ruth is the only other player to start a postseason game as a pitcher and then appear as a hitter in the same series. A few modern two‑way players, like Brendan McKay, have pitched in the playoffs, but none have matched Ohtani’s regular‑season impact in both roles.
What adjustments could the Brewers make to neutralize Ohtani’s offense?
Milwaukee’s coaching staff is likely to attack Ohtani with off‑speed pitches and tighter sequencing, aiming to force weak contact. They may also shift their defensive alignment deeper to reduce the impact of any extra‑base hits.
When is the next game scheduled if the series goes to a Game 5?
If the Dodgers win Game 4, Game 5 is slated for Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 5:00 PM PDT, again at Dodger Stadium. The rotation would likely feature a veteran arm such as Blake Snell if he’s rested, but the staff has kept the decision open.