In a highly anticipated Game 7 of the World Series, Shohei Ohtani is set to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Toronto Blue Jays. This decision highlights Ohtani's exceptional two-way talent as he takes the mound for one of baseball's most significant games. Given his capabilities, the Dodgers believe that starting him is a more strategic choice than using him in a relief role.
One of the main factors influencing this decision is a rule implemented in the 2022 season. This rule allows pitchers who start games in the batting order to remain in the game as designated hitters (DH) after leaving the mound. Therefore, if Ohtani were to only start as a DH before pitching, the Dodgers would lose the DH position, forcing pitchers to bat in that spot if Ohtani were relieved later in the game. Maintained as a starter keeps Ohtani's versatility intact and allows the team to maximize his contributions on both sides of the game.
Throughout his Major League Baseball career, Ohtani has never pitched in relief. His only brief appearances in that capacity were during his time with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan, primarily in his rookie season in 2013. Notably, he closed out Japan’s victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final against the United States, famously striking out then Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the last out.
Ohtani has been performing remarkably in the World Series thus far, batting .318 with three home runs, five RBIs, and eight walks. However, on the pitching side, he currently holds a record of 0-1 with a 6.00 earned run average (ERA), having struck out six batters and walked one during his Game 4 start, where he threw 93 pitches.
On the opposing side, veteran pitcher Max Scherzer is scheduled to start for the Toronto Blue Jays. Scherzer's start marks a significant achievement as he becomes only the fourth pitcher to appear in multiple winner-take-all Game 7s in World Series history. Previous pitchers include Bob Gibson, Lew Burdette, Don Larsen, and Burleigh Grimes, each making their mark in the annals of baseball history.
Scherzer's experience in high-pressure situations is notable; he also started the last World Series Game 7 in 2019, benefiting from a cortisone injection to relieve an irritated nerve near his neck. In that game, he struggled, failing to record a clean inning and leaving after five innings with the Nationals trailing by two runs. Remarkably, Washington rallied to win 6-2 against the Houston Astros.
The matchup between Ohtani and Scherzer promises to be a riveting display of skill and strategy, with the World Series title on the line. As a 41-year-old right-hander and a three-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer brings invaluable experience to the mound. In his Game 3 appearance earlier in the series, he allowed three runs and five hits over 4 1/3 innings, which ultimately ended in an 18-inning victory for the Dodgers.
This intense Game 7 scenario underscores the importance of each player’s performance, especially for Ohtani, who not only aims to excel as a pitcher but also wishes to leave a lasting impact in the World Series as a two-way star.
