Unprecedented Japanese Viewership for Historic Dodgers-Padres Division Series Game

On a pivotal Friday, the deciding game of the National League Division Series (NLDS) between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres set a new benchmark in Major League Baseball (MLB) viewership in Japan. The game, which saw the Dodgers secure a 2-0 victory, became the most-watched MLB postseason game ever in Japan, drawing an average of 12.9 million viewers according to MLB’s estimates.

The First of Its Kind: Two Japanese Pitchers Headline the Game

History was made during this decisive fifth game as it marked the first occasion that two Japanese pitchers started in a postseason MLB game. Representing the Dodgers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a stellar performance, allowing only two hits over five innings. On the Padres’ side, Yu Darvish conceded two runs on three hits in 6⅔ innings.

Shohei Ohtani’s Contribution to the Dodgers’ Advance

The game also spotlighted Shohei Ohtani, whose prowess was instrumental in propelling the Dodgers into the National League Championship Series, a feat they had not achieved since 2021. Despite Tokyo being 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles, the game kicked off around 11 a.m. Saturday in Japan, attracting a large audience.

Japan’s Enthusiastic Response Exceeds Previous Records

The deciding game of the NLDS not only drew a larger viewership than the combined total of the last three MLB games played in Japan but also surpassed the viewership of the regular season opener between the Dodgers and Padres in Tokyo.

Japan’s interest in MLB was further highlighted during Ohtani’s first MLB postseason game. The inaugural game of the NLDS on Oct. 5 drew an average of 9.1 million viewers in Japan. Ohtani, a crowd favorite, delighted his fans with a three-run homer, leading the Dodgers to a 7-5 victory.