The Dodgers have forced a Game 7 in the World Series, and Shohei Ohtani is expected to be their starting pitcher. In what will be just four days removed from his six-plus-inning, 93-pitch start in Game 4, Ohtani will likely serve as the team’s opener in Saturday’s winner-take-all contest, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who is not authorized to speak publicly.
While Ohtani almost certainly won’t make a full-length start, he should be able to get through at least two or three innings, depending on how laborious his outing is. Four or five innings might not be out of the question either, even in what will be only his second career MLB outing pitching on three days’ rest.
The only time Ohtani has done this was in 2023, when he followed a rain-shortened two-inning start at Fenway Park against the Red Sox with a seven-inning outing four days later. Saturday, of course, will come under entirely different circumstances — it will be the first seventh game in a World Series since 2019.
By starting Ohtani, the Dodgers would ensure they wouldn’t lose his bat for the rest of the game, thanks to MLB’s two-way player rules. If he were to enter in relief during the game, the only way he could stay in afterward would be by shifting to the outfield. MLB rules stipulate that a team would lose the designated hitter (DH) spot under such circumstances.
Starting him also eliminates any complications that would arise from trying to find time for him to warm up if his spot in the batting order came up the inning prior. This would have potentially made it more difficult for him to close out the game.
Ohtani has completed six innings in each of his three previous pitching appearances this postseason, posting a 3.50 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 18 innings.
The Dodgers should have solid bullpen options behind Ohtani. Tyler Glasnow will likely be available after needing just three pitches to secure the save in Friday’s wild finish. Blake Snell also said he would be available following his Game 5 start on Wednesday.
In addition, Roki Sasaki is expected to be at manager Dave Roberts’ disposal, despite throwing 33 pitches in just over one inning of work on Friday.
With Ohtani on the mound and a strong bullpen behind him, the Dodgers are set to make a formidable push in this decisive Game 7.
https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2025-10-31/shohei-ohtani-expected-to-start-world-series-game-7-dodgers-blue-jays