Published on October 14, 2025 • 1-minute read
Join the conversation
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers jogs across the field during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at American Family Field on October 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. Photo by Patrick McDermott / GETTY IMAGES
MILWAUKEE — Shohei Ohtani’s first pitching appearance in the NL Championship Series for the Dodgers will take place in Game 4 in Los Angeles on Friday.
Tyler Glasnow is set to start Game 3, while Ohtani will take the mound in Game 4, manager Dave Roberts announced on Tuesday, following the team’s 2-1 victory over Milwaukee in the series opener.
Ohtani made his postseason pitching debut on October 4, allowing three runs over six innings in a 5-3 win against Philadelphia in the first game of the NL Division Series.
“Shohei has been fine with rest,” Roberts stated. “This potentially sets him up if we need him in Game 7 out of the bullpen. For Game 3, we believe Tyler is on regular rest, so it all aligns well. Everything just made sense.”
Roberts clarified that the decision to delay Ohtani’s pitching debut was not related to the three-time MVP’s recent hitting struggles, as he went 1 for 18 with nine strikeouts against Philadelphia.
In Monday’s game against the Brewers, Ohtani went 0-for-2 and walked three times. He is in contention for his fourth MVP award after finishing the regular season with a .282 batting average, a .392 on-base percentage, 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. Ohtani returned to the mound on June 16 after undergoing elbow surgery in September 2023, posting a 1-1 record with a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts over 47 innings in 14 starts.
Glasnow finished the regular season with a 4-3 record and a 3.19 ERA, and he threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings in the NLDS. Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, started on Monday and allowed just one hit while facing the minimum 24 batters over eight innings. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to start Game 2.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Please try refreshing your browser or tap here to see other videos from our team.
Share this article on your social networks