Shohei Ohtani: Unfazed and Ready for His Inaugural Postseason Game

Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ prodigious talent, didn’t even wait for his interpreter to translate the question about his nerves before his first postseason game. His response in English was a succinct, “Nope.” The immensely anticipated debut of Ohtani in the playoffs is set to take place this Saturday, as the Dodgers prepare to take on their division adversaries, the San Diego Padres, in the National League Division Series.

Through his interpreter, Ohtani expressed his long-held aspiration of participating in crucial games. He said, “Being part of an important game has always been my childhood dream.” The thrill of such a moment, he added, outweighed any other possible emotion.

From the Angels to the Dodgers: Ohtani’s Journey to Success

For half a dozen years, Ohtani’s exceptional abilities were underutilized on the Los Angeles Angels team, which rarely played decisive games in September. However, his move to the Dodgers has seen his performance flourish in high-stakes environments. Ohtani’s ability was on full display the night the Dodgers secured their playoff spot. He had an exceptional game, achieving a 6-for-6 record with three home runs, 10 RBIs, and two stolen bases, making him the first ever member of the exclusive 50/50 club.

Ohtani’s Unstoppable Performance and High Expectations

Ohtani concluded the regular season with an impressive 10-game streak and a .628 batting average and a 1.853 OPS. His performance skyrocketed during the Dodgers’ September games, where they were pursued by the Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West. With runners in scoring position, Ohtani boasted a .577/.633/1.308 hit, a situation that previously proved challenging for him.

The Dodgers are hopeful that these remarkable statistics foreshadow how Ohtani will fare in his first postseason. They also point to his impressive performance in Japan’s victory in the previous year’s World Baseball Classic as evidence that high-pressure settings may bring out his best.

The Spotlight is on Ohtani Amid Team Injuries and Slumps

Ohtani, joined by Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, completes the trio of superstars in the Dodgers’ lineup. However, with Freeman recovering from a sprained ankle and Betts ending the regular season with a disappointing three hits in 20 at-bats, all eyes are on Ohtani.

The Padres, with up to three left-handed relievers in their NLDS roster, intend to use them against Ohtani as frequently as they can. Padres’ manager, Mike Shildt, expressed his confidence in his team’s ability to challenge Ohtani, stating, “I believe in our guys, too. It’s what competition is about.”

Ohtani’s Dream of Playoff Baseball Finally Comes True

Ohtani recollected watching the Dodgers’ World Series triumph in 2020 from Seattle, where he was working with Driveline to recover from his first Tommy John surgery and establish his two-way player status in the major leagues. His subsequent three-year performance was one of the most impressive in the history of the sport, culminating in two MVP Awards and a second-place finish.

However, the elusive dream of playoff baseball has finally become a reality for Ohtani, ending his wait to participate in the sport’s most important games. As he expressed, “it’s just really a mixed, complicated feeling not being able to participate in the postseason.”