Dodgers bubble-wrap Shohei Ohtani, won’t pitch him unless Reds force Game 3

For the first time in his career, Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to pitch in the MLB postseason and the Los Angeles Dodgers already have to be strategic as to when their cash cow will take the mound for the first time.

The Dodgers open up a Wild Card series against the Cincinnati Reds tonight in Los Angeles. They will lean on Blake Snell in Game 1 and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2, before looking Ohtani’s way in Game 3 if necessary.

Cincinnati counters with Hunter Greene, Zack Littell, and Andrew Abbott, meaning Ohtani could end up facing Abbott in a winner-take-all situation on Oct. 2.

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It’s all about timing for Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers

Assuming Los Angeles handles business in the first two games, Ohtani will be fully rested and lined up perfectly for Game 1 of the NLDS against Cristopher Sanchez and the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.

After debuting on the mound for the Dodgers in June, Shohei Ohtani worked his way back with 14 starts, a 2.87 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts in 47 innings.

By September 23, he had stretched out to six innings per start.

The Dodgers have built this plan to maximize him and he could now get eight full days of rest between his last regular-season outing and a potential Wild Card Game 3.

Shohei Ohtani is through 5 no-hit innings against the Phillies.

He has 5 strikeouts and has walked one batter. He’s at 68 pitches.

What a performance so far from the Dodgers’ two-way star.
pic.twitter.com/rCVut7OPmB

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) September 17, 2025

Wild Card Scenarios:

• Reds push LA to three games, Ohtani makes his playoff debut in an elimination spot.
• If the Dodgers sweep, Ohtani starts Game 1 of Red October at CBP

Honestly, I am a firm believer that playoff seeding doesn’t matter. I actually want to see Shohei Ohtani at The Bank on Saturday, and would caution the Dodgers from planning too far ahead when they still have to get past a very good Reds team with an elite pitching staff of their own.

Red October: Everything you need to know before the Phillies begin NLDS at Citizens Bank Park next weekend

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